| Ecology & Habitat | Saprotrophic, growing in clusters of fans or shelves. Deciduous forests, growing on living or dead trees, stumps, and logs |
| Edibility, Taste & Odor | Edible, Mild Taste, with a texture similar to chicken. |
| Cap | Bright Orange cap with no bruising when cut |
| Pores | Bright yellow pore surface, bruises darker yellow or brownish |
| Spores | White to pale yellow |
Laetiporus sulphureus, also known as the sulphur shelf mushroom or chicken of the woods, is a beautiful and striking fungus that can be found growing on the trunks of deciduous trees. Its cap surface is a bright orange and can grow quite large. As it matures the edge becomes thin and wavy. The pores on the underside of the cap are bright yellow. The flesh is soft and spongy, and when fresh will drip a clear or yellowish liquid when squeezed. Due to it’s bright colors, it is unique enough for beginners to easily identify, making it a highly sought-after edible mushroom. It has a mild flavor that pairs well with a variety of dishes. It grows fairly quickly and is best when it is young. It also has a long growing season. So, while it is an easy mushroom to identify, I seem to mostly find ones that are past their prime, and too old to eat. Overall, Laetiporus sulphureus is a stunning and delicious mushroom that is a true delight to find in the wild.
These particular chickens were abnormally vibrant. It’s normal for them to have a fairly vibrant orange cap surface, and a fairly vibrant yellow pore surface. But these ones were quite absurdly vibrant. I am half tempted to photoshop some of the color out of them to make them more typical looking.
