Laetiporus sulphureus

Scientific name:   Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.: Fr.) Murr.
Derivation of name:   Laet- means "pleasing" or "bright";
por- means "pores;" sulphureus refers to "sulphur yellow."
Synonymy:   Polyporus sulphureus Bull.: Fr.
Common names:   Chicken mushroom, sulphur shelf.
Phylum:   Basidiomycota
Order:   Polyporales
Family:   Polyporaceae
Occurrence on wood substrate:  Parasitic and saprobic;
solitary or more commonly in compound clusters and
rosettes on living and dead deciduous tree trunks, logs, and
stumps, ocasionally on conifers; May through November. 
Dimensions:  Individual caps 5-30 cm wide; clusters up to
75 cm across.  
Upper surface:  Bright to dull orange, fading to pale
orange and white in age; radially wrinkled and roughened;
velvety.
Pore surface: Sulphur-yellow; pores 3-4 per mm.
Edibility: Edible, considered choice.
Comments: One of the largest and most colorful fungi, it is
also considered a choice edible with tender portions tasting
like white chicken meat. Individual allergies can occur and
specimens growing on certain substrates (e.g., conifers) or
consumed with alcohol are reported to cause digestive system
upset.

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Figure 1. Laetiporus sulphureus on the trunk of a tree.
Photo  © Fred Habegger.


Figure 2. Distinctive orange caps with paler margins of
Laetiporus sulphureus. Photo © Pam Kaminski.

Figure 3. This award-winning photograph by John Plischke
III clearly shows the orange caps and sulphur-yellow pore
surface of the Chicken mushroom.
Photo © John Plischke III.

Figure 4. A beautiful specimen of Chicken mushroom growing
on a log. Photo © Dorothy Smullen.

Figure 5. Note how wrinkled the margins are. Photo © Pam
Kaminski.

Figure 6. The yellow pore surface of Laetiporus sulphureus.
Laetiporus means "pleasing" or "beautiful" pores.


Figure 7. A spectacular fruiting of L. sulphureus.
Unfortunately, the specimens are somewhat old and faded.