Tawaka? Found in a willow root. If it is, we would like to taste it but can’t find any useful articles on whether it has lookalikes.

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Mushroom friends looking glam on fallen pines, bonus decorative twigs and lush moss

A fellow mastonaut named them as red belted conks, which seems to suit just right

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Time to try to ID what mostly seems like little brown mushrooms, for class. 🙃

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#HenOfTheWoods
#GrifolaFrondosa

"Grifola frondosa is a polypore mushroom that grows in clusters at the base of trees, particularly oaks. The mushroom is commonly known among English speakers as hen-of-the-woods, ram's head and sheep's head. In the United States' supplement market, as well as in Asian grocery stores, the mushroom is known by its Japanese name #maitake (#舞茸), which means "dancing mushroom". Throughout Italian American communities in the northeastern United States, it is commonly known as the #signorina mushroom.... [Image from the website]

https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/635693

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Very informative website! Includes tips about lookalikes, harvesting, preparing, and their growth cycle!

Identifying #ChickenOfTheWoods #Mushroom

By Mike Berry
September 23, 2021

"For the new mushroom hunter, Chicken of the Woods is one the easiest and most beginner friendly mushrooms to find.

"This choice edible mushroom will quickly become a favorite that you’ll look for every time you head into the woods!"

https://unrulygardening.com/chicken-of-the-woods-mushroom/#hen-of-the-woods-versus-chicken-of-the-woods

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Everything You Need to Know About Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms

Celebrated for its meaty flavor and texture, chicken of the woods is most definitely a mushroom worth meeting.

By Alice Knisley Matthias
Published on July 12, 2022

What Is Chicken of the Woods?

"There are two species of chicken of the woods mushrooms: The Laetiporus cincinnatus, which has a creamy colored underside, and Laetiporus sulphureus, which has a yellowish appearance and is also known as the 'Sulfur Shelf.'

"The size of chicken of the woods can range from 2 to 10 inches in diameter, and they grow as a broad, (rather stunning) fan-shaped mushroom on the side of trees. They grow in multiple overlapping layers that resemble small shelves or the layered shingles of a roof in appearance. The mushroom caps can appear smooth or slightly wrinkled depending on the state of maturity and age, but chicken of the woods do not have gills like many popular types of mushrooms you'll find at the supermarket. As they grow, they commonly change color; chicken of the woods can start out as a yellow to orange color and fade to a pale shade of cantaloupe or white when they mature. The mushrooms are most commonly found on the side of tree trunks, old stumps, or injured roots.

"Many people who are new to foraging (for mushrooms and other delectable food items) will note that chicken of the woods mushrooms are fairly simple to find. Given that they are located growing on the sides of trees, chicken of the woods aren't exceptionally difficult to spot — and because of their unique appearance, they're not easily confused with other mushroom varieties.

What Does Chicken of the Woods Taste Like?

"Chicken of the woods mushrooms have a meaty texture when cooked, and offer a mild lemony note that's reminiscent of chicken, lobster, or crab. The 'chicken' flavor associated with these mushrooms lends itself to a reliable meat substitute for #vegetarian or #vegan meal options.

#ChickenOfTheWoods vs. #HenOfTheWoods

"When you are shopping for chicken of the woods, you might notice another type of mushroom at the market with a similar name, hen of the woods. These mushroom varieties' similar names may cause a bit of confusion if you read the signs quickly, but they do not look like one another in their appearance.

"Chicken of the woods mushrooms are light yellow to pale shades of orange in color. Hen of the woods mushrooms give the appearance of a not-so-fresh head of lettuce that is starting to brown. Their name refers to how a cluster of the mushrooms resembles the ruffled tail feathers of a hen, but these fungi are also sometimes labeled 'maitake mushrooms.' They have clusters of oval-shaped caps that can vary in color from gray to brown. Hen of the woods mushrooms are also edible, but do not share chicken of the woods' distinctive flavor. They offer a stronger, more pronounced mushroom essence; thus, many cooks opt to use maitakes in place of button or cremini mushrooms to boost flavor."

https://www.allrecipes.com/article/cooking-chicken-of-the-woods/

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