Laetiporus sulphureus

Laetiporus sulphureus is a species of bracket fungus (fungi that grow on trees). Its common names include sulphur polypore, sulphur shelf, and chicken-of-the-woods. Its fruit bodies grow as striking golden-yellow shelf-like structures on tree trunks and branches. Old fruitbodies fade to pale beige or pale grey. The undersurface of the fruit body is made up of tubelike pores rather than gills. Found in Europe and North America, L. sulphureus is a saprophyte and occasionally a weak parasite, causing brown cubical rot in the heartwood of trees on which it grows. Unlike many bracket fungi, it is edible when young, although adverse reactions have been reported.

Description

A mushroom. It is bright sulphur-yellow to orange.

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Edible Uses

Due to its taste, Laetiporus sulphureus has been called the chicken polypore and chicken-of-the-woods (not to be confused with Grifola frondosa, the so-called hen-of-the-woods). Many people think that the mushroom tastes like crab or lobster leading to the nickname lobster-of-the-woods. The authors of Mushrooms in Color said that the mushroom tastes good sauteed in butter or prepared in a cream sauce served on toast or rice. It is highly regarded in Germany and North America. Young specimens are edible if they exude large amounts of a clear to pale yellow watery liquid. Only the young outer edges of larger specimens should be collected, as older portions tend to be tough, unpalatable, and bug-infested. The mushroom should not be eaten raw.

Traditional Uses

The fruiting body is edible when still unripe. It has a spicy flavour. The trimmed edges of the young caps are used. They are cut into very thin slices and stewed for 30 minutes or more. It can be dried.

Known Hazards

Some people have experienced gastrointestinal upset after eating this mushroom, and it should not be consumed raw. Severe adverse reactions can occur, including vomiting and fever, in about 10% of the population, but this is now thought to be the result of confusion with morphologically similar species such as Laetiporus huroniensis, which grows on hemlock trees, and L. gilbertsonii, which grows on Eucalyptus.

Distribution

It grows in temperate places. It grows on trees. It grows in moist places.

Where It Grows

Africa, Alaska, Asia, Bhutan, Britain, Canada, China, Europe, France, Guyana, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Nepal, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Romania, Russia, SE Asia, Sicily, Sikkim, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA,

Other Information

It is sold in local markets in Nepal.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Linhuangjun, Mirgay chaew, Rakteauu

References (34)

• Adhikari, M. K., 2014, Addition and correction to the knowledge on edibility of wild mushrooms in Nepal: a discussion. Bul. Dept. Pl. Res. N. 36, Nepal p 5
• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 482 (As Polyporus sulphureus)
• Boa, E. R., 2004, Wild edible fungi and their importance to people. FAO Non Wood Forest Products Booklet 17
• Christensen, M., et al, 2008, Collection and Use of Wild Edible Fungi in Nepal. Economic Botany, 62(1), 2008, pp. 12–23
• Ciesla, W.M., 1998, Non-wood forest products from conifers. Non-wood forest products 12, FAO, Rome, p 91 (As Polyporus sulphureus)

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