Hen of the Woods

hen of the woods Grifola frondosa, is probably the best of the edible fungi which belong to the group of polypores. It has numerous caps, which cluster and overlap in a manner reminiscent of a hen’s feathers. The underside of the caps is white, and its pores are plainly visible. These fungi, known both in Europe and in N. America, usually form on the ground, attached to the roots and lower stems of hardwood trees, in which they are apt to cause rot. They may grow to a very large size. Ramsbottom (1953) cites a record from Hungary of a specimen which filled a two-horse cart. The common size is about 30 cm (1') across.