Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)

Hen of the woods, a reference photo — Photo: Lukas from London, England · CC BY-SA 2.0 (licence)

Grifola frondosa, also known as hen-of-the-woods, sheep's head, ram's head, or maitake (舞茸, "dancing mushroom") in Japanese, is a polypore mushroom that grows at the base of trees, particularly old growth oaks or maples. It is native to China, Europe, and North America.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it poisonous?

We have no record of Hen of the woods being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

Meripilus sumstinei

Classification

Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Polyporales
Family: Grifolaceae
Genus: Grifola
Species: Grifola frondosa

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