Laetiporus sulphureus prepared dish, with onionsĭue 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). Guinness world record Ī specimen weighing 45 kilograms (100 lb) was found in the New Forest, Hampshire, United Kingdom, on 15 October 1990. At the final stages of decay, the wood can be rubbed like powder between the fingers. After infection, the wood is at first discolored yellowish to red but subsequently becomes reddish-brown and brittle. The fungus causes brown cubical rot of heartwood in the roots, tree base and stem. It can usually be found growing in clusters. In the Mediterranean region, this species is usually found on Ceratonia and Eucalyptus. It grows on dead or mature hardwoods and has been reported from a very wide variety of host trees, such as Quercus, Prunus, Pyrus, Populus, Salix, Robinia, and Fagus, occasionally also from conifers, from August to October or later, sometimes as early as June. Laetiporus sulphureus is widely distributed across Europe and North America, although its range may be restricted to areas east of the Rockies. Description Ĭhicken of the Woods ( Laetiporus sulphureus) on the Trinity Trail, Palos Heights, Illinois, on September 10, 2019. sulphureus isolates, while Sulphureus clade II contains yellow-pored L. Sulphureus clade I contains white-pored L. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS and nuclear large subunit and mitochondrial small subunit rDNA sequences from North American collections have delineated five distinct clades within the core Laetiporus clade. sulphureus may be restricted to regions east of the Rocky Mountains. Investigations in North America have shown that there are several similar species within what has been considered L. Laetiporus means 'with bright pores' and sulphureus means 'the colour of sulphur'. It has had many synonyms and was finally given its current name in 1920 by American mycologist William Murrill. Laetiporus sulphureus was first described as Boletus sulphureus by French mycologist Pierre Bulliard in 1789.

Tyromyces sulphureus (Bull.) Donk, (1933).

Sulphurina sulphurea (Quél.) Pilát, (1942).

Sistotrema sulphureum (Bull.) Rebent., (1804).

Polyporus sulphureus (Bull.) Fr., (1821).

Polyporus imbricatus (Bull.) Fr., (1821).

Merisma sulphureus (Bull.) Gillet, (1878).

Merisma imbricatum (Bull.) Gillet, (1878).

Leptoporus sulphureus (Bull.) Quél.,(1888).

Leptoporus ramosus (Bull.) Quél., (1888).

Leptoporus imbricatus (Bull.) Quél., (1888).

Leptoporus casearius (Fr.) Quél., (1888).

Laetiporus speciosus Battarra ex Murrill, (1904).

Grifola sulphurea (Bull.) Pilát, (1934).

Daedalea imbricata (Bull.) Purton, (1821).

Cladoporus sulphureus (Bull.) Teixeira, (1986).

Cladomeris imbricatus (Bull.) Quél., (1886).

Cladomeris casearius (Fr.) Quél., (1886).Ceriomyces aurantiacus (Pat.) Sacc., (1888).

While chicken of the woods will not likely cure any serious disease, it should be considered a great addition to a healthy diet. A certain extract from the mushroom has proven to have anti-fungal properties as well.Lanostanoids, which have shown promising anti-tumor properties.Other antioxidants including chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and kaempferol.

Quercetin, which is a heavily researched antioxidant that can also have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties.It acts as a Cox-2 inhibitor like many prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, which can help as Cox-2 is an enzyme responsible for inflammation in the body. Acetyl eburicoic acid, which has been shown to have significant anti-inflammatory properties.It also contains notable amounts of vitamin A, fiber, and protein.Ĭhicken of the woods is considered a medicinal mushroom as it contains these compounds: It is both a good source of potassium and vitamin C. Chicken of the woods is also popular because of its good nutritional value.