Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) is not only a beautiful shelf fungus, but also a very tasty one as well.
It is widely distributed across North America, growing on dead or dying hardwood trees -- usually oaks.
As it is responsible for a brown heart rot, the fungus grows throughout the heartwood of the tree. The sprouting mushrooms can be found high in a tree, or when an infected tree succumbs, on stumps or fallen logs.
The mushroom clusters are distinctly orange shelves that can grow to two feet across.
The Chicken of the Woods mushroom is highly sought after by those who enjoy eating wild mushrooms. It has the taste of chicken (thus the name) and can be used as a substitute for such.
