gilbertsonii

Western Chicken of the Woods

Laetiporus gilbertsonii is a massive polypore found along the Pacific Coast of North America. It closely resembles L. sulphureus with its bright orange caps and yellow pore surface but is genetically distinct and host-specific. It forms large, imbricate clusters on hardwoods, particularly Oak and introduced Eucalyptus trees. The caps are fan-shaped, often with a pale or pinkish-orange margin. This species is a brown rot fungus that can be parasitic on living trees, often causing structural failure. It fruits in late summer to autumn. The flesh is succulent and tender when young but becomes tough and crumbly as it matures. It is distinguished from L. conifericola by its growth on hardwoods.