Hen of the Woods

Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa), also known as Sheep’s Head and Maitake, is a mushroom commonly found on or near stumps and bases of oak trees. It is edible, and most people find the taste appealing. The mushroom is known to cause allergic reactions in some people.

Like the Sulphur shelf, Hen of the Woods is a perennial fungi, growing in one place. It occurs most prolifically in northeastern regions of the US, but has been found as far west as Idaho.

Hen of the Woods grows from an underground tuber about the size of a potato. The fruiting body, occurring as large as 60 cm, is a cluster consisting of multiple grayish-brown flat caps, which are often curled or spoon-shaped with wavy margins, and 2-7 cm broad. The caps contain approximately 1-3 pores per millimeter, with tubes no deeper than 3 mm. The milky-white stalk, or stipe, has a branchy structure and is rather tough.

The underground tubers from which Hen of the Woods arises has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to enhance the immune system.

Hen of the Woods should not be confused with the similarly named edible bracket fungi Chicken of the Woods (aka Sulphur shelf) (Laetiporus sulphureus).