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Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus sulphureus)
George Chernilevsky · CC BY 4.0
Edible species

Chicken of the woods

Laetiporus sulphureus · Laetiporaceae

Chicken of the woods forms bright sulphur-yellow to orange shelves stacked on tree trunks, and its taste is often compared to chicken.

FamilyLaetiporaceae
SeasonMay–Nov
Spore printWhite
Cap width5–60 cm
Records in Turkey36 records
CultivationWild only
StatusEdible species

Chicken of the woods forms bright sulphur-yellow to orange shelves stacked on tree trunks, and its taste is often compared to chicken. It is edible when young, but some people have reported adverse reactions, so first-timers should try only a little. Old fruit bodies fade and toughen.

Also called: sulphur polypore, sulphur shelf Turkish: Kükürt mantarı

Chicken of the woods

How to recognise it

Chicken of the woods, part by part

No ring or volva Spore print: White Fresh flesh is succulent with a strong mushroomy smell; slightly sour taste.

Cap — Chicken of the woods
CapFan-shaped shelves 5–60 cm across in overlapping tiers; sulphur-yellow to bright orange with a suede texture. Pale with age.
PoresNo gills; sulphur-yellow underside with small pores.
StemNo stem; attached straight to the trunk.

When and where

May–Nov

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. Mayin season
  6. Junin season
  7. Julin season
  8. Augin season
  9. Sepin season
  10. Octin season
  11. Novin season
  12. Dec

Chicken of the woods fruits from April to November in Europe; in Turkey, GBIF records peak in September–October.

Where does chicken of the woods grow?

Chicken of the woods grows on dead or old hardwoods (oak, chestnut, beech, cherry, willow, poplar, black locust…), occasionally on conifers, and causes brown cubical rot in the heartwood.

In Turkey

Chicken of the woods is widely recorded in Turkey, most often around Istanbul and Ankara.

  • İstanbul21
  • Ankara6
  • Kırklareli2
  • Karabük2
  • Bolu1
  • İzmir1
  • Nevşehir1
  • Aksaray1

36 observations on our map (GBIF, iNaturalist). Record density also reflects where observers work.

Latest chicken of the woods observations

See on the map

In its habitat — Chicken of the woods
In its habitat
In its habitat — Chicken of the woods
In its habitat

Look-alikes

What could it be confused with?

Chicken of the woods
Chicken of the woods
Maitake
Maitake
Edible species

Maitake Grifola frondosa

A clump of grey-brown spoon-shaped caps at the base of a tree.

Poisonous

Jack-o'-lantern mushroom Omphalotus olearius

Orange but gilled and clustered; Turkish Wikipedia warns about this confusion.

In the kitchen

Cooking with chicken of the woods

Storing chicken of the woods

Fresh · fridge3–7 daysKeep fresh chicken of the woods unwashed in a paper bag in the fridge; delicate species are at the short end. Source
FrozenA few monthsFreeze chicken of the woods cooked, not raw: sauté and cool them first. Source
DriedA few months – 1 yearKeep dried chicken of the woods in an airtight jar in a cool, dry, dark place. Source

How to store mushrooms: the full guide →

Many people have reported allergies or stomach upsets, so eat only young, fresh parts, cooked thoroughly, and try a small amount first. Do not eat specimens growing on yew.

Grow it, buy it

Chicken of the woods price list

Chicken of the woods price list
ProductUsMarket (sourced, dated)
Fresh chicken of the woodsIn preparation · notify me—
Dried chicken of the woodsIn preparation · notify me—

Our prices for chicken of the woods are published when the product is ready; for now we take waiting-list sign-ups. The market column shows prices seen on other sellers' pages on the date given; they are not our prices and may have changed.

Grow kits →

Frequently asked questions

Is chicken of the woods edible?

Yes, chicken of the woods is an edible species. Eat a wild one only after an expert has identified it with certainty: it can be confused with jack-o'-lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olearius). Many people have reported allergies or stomach upsets, so eat only young, fresh parts, cooked thoroughly, and try a small amount first. Do not eat specimens growing on yew.

When is chicken of the woods season in Turkey?

In our calendar, chicken of the woods season runs May–Nov. Chicken of the woods fruits from April to November in Europe; in Turkey, GBIF records peak in September–October.

Where does chicken of the woods grow?

Chicken of the woods grows on dead or old hardwoods (oak, chestnut, beech, cherry, willow, poplar, black locust…), occasionally on conifers, and causes brown cubical rot in the heartwood.

Where is chicken of the woods found in Turkey?

Chicken of the woods is widely recorded in Turkey, most often around Istanbul and Ankara.

What can chicken of the woods be confused with?

Chicken of the woods can be confused with maitake (Grifola frondosa, edible species) and jack-o'-lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olearius, poisonous). Look-alikes are compared on this page.

What is chicken of the woods called in Turkish?

In Turkish, chicken of the woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) is called Kükürt mantarı.

Related species

All species → · Identify by photo →

Sources (4)
Photo credits (10)