Grifola frondosa 1
This large fall mushroom is a favorite of mine. Last year I found a 8 pound specimen. The one this year was only about 3 1/2 pounds. It is a good tasting mushroom both simply fried in butter (with a little garlic and salt) or in dishes. Last year my wife made a big pot of mushroom soup with it. Both times I have found it at the base of tree stumps, though it also grows at the base of live trees as a parasite. The Japanese call it the Dancing Mushroom (Maitake) because the mushroom hunter dances when he/she finds it I was going on my daily walk and almost cut it short when I found this mushroom. Here it is called the Hen of the Woods or the Sheep’s head because of the way it looks..
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Grifola frondosa
Type: PolyporeCollection date: 10/04/2008
Name: Grifola frondosa
Common Name: Hen of the woods, sheepshead, maitake
Description: This frilly mushroom consists of clusters of rosettes all coming from a common stem. The individual caps range from 3/4 of an inch to 4 or 5 inches. The whole cluster can get quit large. The specimen pictured weighed 3 1/2 lb. The caps are grey-brown and the bottom is white. The spore print is white.
Edibility: Choice
Color: Brown
Size: Over 15cm
Cap type: wavy
Gills: No Gills
Stem type: Lateral, rudimentary, absent
Flesh: white firm
Texture: firm
Veil: none
Ring: none
Volva: none
Mycelium: white
Spore color: White,cream,yellowish
Habitat: Grows in woods
Habitat2: Grows on the ground at base of tree
Habitat3: Dead stump oak?
Field Notes
Note: 10/25/2008 Just when I think these are done another shows up. Found about a 2 pound one next to a stump. : 35-57°F : Damp – over 1” rain yesterday lastTrackbacks
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Maitake has a lot of medicinal properties.
Please visit www.mushroompharm.com