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Maitake, Hen of the Woods, Rams Head
2 public strains
Grifola frondosa, maitake or hen of the woods, forms large rosettes of overlapping gray-brown caps from a branched base near the foot of oaks and other hardwoods. It is weakly parasitic and saprobic, causing a white butt rot, and grows from an underground sclerotium, so it often fruits in the same spot year after year. It is a prized edible and is cultivated commercially on supplemented sawdust.
Choice edible, best when young; cook thoroughly, and note that some people are allergic. Look-alikes: Meripilus sumstinei stains black and has smaller pores; Polyporus umbellatus has distinct round caps on central stems. Neither is dangerous, but confirm identification.
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Mycology is an evolving science: names, classifications and safety information change as research advances. Entries are compiled from cited sources and reviewed, but may be incomplete or out of date — check the sources, and never rely on this library alone to identify or eat a mushroom.
