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Grifola frondosa |
Sometimes referred to as Hen of the Woods, the fruit body of Grifola frondosa is relatively short-lived compared with most polypores. It is usually found at the base of an oak tree. This fungus attacks living trees and causes a white rot, and it smells unpleasantly sickly when it is decaying. Although this is an edible polypore it is only worth gathering when the fruiting bodies are young and fresh. |
Description |
In circular tiers from a common branching stem, the tongue-like fronds of this soft polypore form a cauliflower-like rosette 20 to 50 cm across. Individual fronds are 4 to 10 cm across and 5 to 10 mm thick, and they vary from tan to olive or cream in undulating concentric zones. |
Tubes and Pores |
The white tubes are 2 to 3 mm deep and usually rounded; they terminate in pale cream pores that are decurrent to the stem. |
Spore print |
White. |
Odour/taste |
Pleasant sweet odour when young; less so when decaying. The taste of older specimens can be quite acrid. |
Habitat |
At the bases of oak trees and other hardwoods. |
Season |
Summer and autumn. |
Occurrence |
Infrequent. |
Similar species |
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