HEN OF THE WOODS (also known as MAITAKE,
RAMSHEAD or SHEEPSHEAD MUSHROOM)
Scientific name: Grifola frondosa
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
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The TEXT on this Webpage regarding
EDIBLE WILD MUSHROOMS
is as important to your SAFETY as the photographs!
IF IN DOUBT, THROW THE MUSHROOM OUT!
I assume responsibility for the accuracy of information provided at americanmushrooms.com regarding edible wild mushrooms. However, I cannot assume responsibility for the integrity of your use of the information I present here regarding edible wild mushrooms. It is up to you to exercise your own best judgement in the event that you choose to consume edible wild mushrooms. Specifically, it is encumbent upon you to read all the text presented here that relates to the particular edible wild mushroom species involved to ensure that you have effectively ruled out dangerous poisonous/toxic wild mushrooms. Hurriedly comparing wild mushroom specimens to photographs of known edible wild mushrooms in hopes of determining that they are indeed the edible species can readily be FATAL!
Keep in mind that some of these pages include photographs of poisonous mushrooms which resemble edible wild mushroom species; again, reading the accompanying text and applying that information is absolutely vital to your safety!
Note that even with some of the best, safest, most popular edible wild mushroom species, it is possible for an individual human being to have an allergic reaction to a particular species. This happens with the grocery-store button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), it happens with edible wild morel mushrooms, and it happens with strawberries.
It is also possible for illness to result from consuming mushrooms that are decaying, contaminated by pollution, or otherwise not in good condition. Before perusing the section of this Webpage that presents photographs of and text about edible wild mushrooms (and some of their toxic "look-alikes"!), you must read "The Mycophagist's Ten Commandments," which explains several hazards and provides advice on how to avoid those hazards.
Most importantly, be doubtful and be skeptical: Use the mushroom's description to seek evidence that the mushroom you've found is NOT the edible wild mushroom species whose photograph it resembles!
–David Fischer
HEN OF THE WOODS (also known as MAITAKE,
RAMSHEAD or SHEEPSHEAD MUSHROOM)
Scientific name: Grifola frondosa
This is one of the best-known of all edible wild mushrooms, and it's probably the one that offers the biggest harvests in many areas, for a single specimen of the Hen of the Woods can weigh ten pounds or more, and it is quite abundant in parts of the Northeast where there are abundant large oak trees. I've seen a single oak tree yield as much as 100 pounds of this mushroom in one season!
Everyone who knows me probably knows that I am a big advocate of fresh-freezing mushrooms as a way to preserve them for later use, and the Maitake is an excellent candidate for the freezer. I often use it to provide a taste of wild mushrooms to folks when I do a mushroom class or lecture… and even the most discriminating wild mushroom gourmets agree that the quality is remarkably close to fresh.
The name "Hen of the Woods" refers to its appearance, which strongly resembles a hen with ruffled feathers. In the Appalachian region, it is called "Sheepshead" or "Ramshead" by many—a similar visual metaphor. The Japanese name, Maitake, means "dancing mushroom"—not to imply that the mushroom itself dances, but that the mushroom hunter lucky enough to find one is often inspired to dance happily at the discovery.
According to Paul Stamets of Fungi Perfecti, which offers supplies, spawn and materials for cultivating this mushroom, it has awesome medicinal value on top of its wonderful flavor and meaty texture.
Grifolas, as the more knowledgeable amateur mycophiles call them, are polypore mushrooms, meaning the undersurface of each tiny "cap" has a layer of downward pointing tubes; the open ends of the tubes are visible as "pores." The color of the mushrooms' upper surfaces varies considerably in color, from pale tan to dark brown; most often, it is predominately gray, tan or brown. It is never orange or reddish. The undersides of the caps are white, and close examination (a hand lens or "magnifying glass" can help) reveals tiny white pores which are smallest near the edges of the caps.
The Hen of the Woods is basically a fall mushroom, but summer and (rarely) even spring fruitings have been reported.
This wonderful species is typically associated with oak, so the best way to find it is to seek it during autumn around the base of large oak trees (living or dead) and stumps. Other known hosts include elm, maple, beech, chestnut and sycamore; it has also been reported with larch (tamarack), pines and other conifers. Especially under big oak trees, this mushroom has been known to produce specimens annually for many years in succession.
It is a very distinctive species with no dangerous "look-alikes", making it a very good choice for the novice mushroomer. The Black-staining Polypore (Meripilus sumstinei)—which obviously develops conspicuous black stains (especially from handling after being picked)—has much wider and thicker "caps" but is grossly similar in appearance. Berkeley's Polypore (Bondarzewia berkeleyi, see photo, right) also has much larger and thicker caps, and is consistently tan to yellowish brown. Both of these similar-looking species are edible, but neither can hold a candle to the Hen of the Woods in terms of flavor.
Old specimens tend to be bitter, fibrous or both. As always, my advice is to collect only very fresh specimens for human consumption. Avoid specimens from potentially contaminated habitats—see The Mycophagist's Ten Commandments for more information on this and other hazards! Also, the Hen of the Woods is notorious for growing around sticks, twigs, leaves, etc., so it is sometimes necessary to take a good deal of time to "dissect" a specimen to make sure that no such forest debris ends up in the cooking pot.
There's a lot more information about the Hen of the Woods and other choice edible wild mushroom species in my best-selling book, Edible Wild Mushrooms of North America.
AMERICA'S BEST, SAFEST
EDIBLE WILD MUSHROOMS!
HEN OF THE WOODS (also known as MAITAKE or SHEEPSHEAD MUSHROOM)
Scientific name: Grifola frondosa
THE SULPHUR SHELF or CHICKEN MUSHROOM
Scientific name: Laetiporus sulphureus
THE SHAGGY MANE MUSHROOM
Scientific name: Coprinus comatus
THE YELLOW and BLACK MORELS
Scientific names: Morchella esculenta and M. elata
THE SWEET TOOTH or HEDGEHOG Mushroom
Scientific names: Hydnum repandum and H. umbilicatum
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