Chicken of the woods
Laetiporus sulphureus
mushroom
⚠️ Toxic look-alike
Never eat this mushroom unless you are certain it is not its toxic look-alike.
The jack-o'-lantern mushroom, also orange and clustered on stumps, causes violent vomiting: it has gills under the cap, chicken of the woods has pores. And chicken of the woods itself makes you ill when it grows on yew, a conifer, eucalyptus or black locust: it takes up their toxins. Only young, tender, on an identified broadleaf tree.
If in the slightest doubt, leave it. If you feel unwell after eating it, even several hours later, call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) or 911.
Large bright orange brackets on trunks, with firm, stringy flesh cooked like chicken.
- Origin
- Broadleaf trees of Europe and North America
- Where to find it
- On oaks, willows and cherry trees, in parks and along woodland edges; avoid those growing on yews, conifers and eucalyptus.
- Season (United States)
- May to October · grows in your region
- Preparation
- Always well cooked; a small portion the first time: some people digest it poorly. If you pick it yourself, have the mushroom checked by a pharmacist or a mycological society before eating it.
- Molecules
- Mushroom beta-glucansIn small amounts, not counted Ergothioneine
- Did you know?
- In English, “chicken of the woods”: it replaces chicken in many plant-based kitchens.