Chicken of the Woods
Laetiporus sulphureus
FungiIN SEASONChicken of the Woods
Laetiporus sulphureus
On living or dead wood, especially oak, cherry, sweet chestnut
All Identification Points
Vivid bright yellow-orange overlapping bracket shelves
Growing directly from living or dead wood
Pores beneath (not gills or teeth)
Soft juicy chicken-like flesh when young and fresh
Fades to dull ochre with age — only harvest bright young specimens
Harvest Notes
Only harvest young, bright, moist specimens from the outer edge. Avoid old pale dried brackets. Must cook thoroughly.
Uses
Vegan chicken substitute, stir-fry, curries, pies.
Equipment Needed
Knife, large bag.
Storage
Use within 3 days. Freezes well when cooked.
Lookalikes
No dangerous lookalikes. IMPORTANT: avoid specimens growing on yew (Taxus baccata) or robinia — these may absorb toxins from the host tree.
Relative Nutrition
Where to Find It
Leigh Woods and Warmley Forest Park oak trees — look for vivid orange brackets from June.