Hen Of The Woods?

[Stewy]

This is not a find of mine but was wondering what you peeps thought about this, Hen of the woods, Giant polypore.........??????????

[Hedge Witch]

Believe the smell is helpful to distinguish the two.

Hen of the Woods is described as having an unpleasant smell, possibly like mice. Non-mushroomy.

Giant polypore smells pleasantly - of mushrooms as I recall.

[fairplay]

Grifola frondosa is distinctly stalked/ branched which it is not possible to see in this photo as the underside is not shown.
The species of tree it was growing on is not stated, however, in removing the whole of the fantastic display (instead of sufficient for a meal) I would expect some black bruising to have occurred by now.

I see none so I feel this is G.frondosa.

Neil.

[Stewy]

Thanks Neil, this any help?



As I said I did not pick this fungus and if I had found it I wouldn't of even picked any of it because I don't know what it is!

[fairplay]

Yes, I'm confident it is G. frondosa.

They are supposed to appear on the same tree year after year, but 2 trees I'm checking haven't produced any more.

Neil.

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by fairplay

Yes, I'm confident it is G. frondosa.

They are supposed to appear on the same tree year after year, but 2 trees I'm checking haven't produced any more.

Neil.

I'd back you with G. frondosa, Neil.

Andy

[Jim Ford]

Is this one then?



It was big - about 800mm across.

Jim

[Stewy]

I reckon that's more likely to be a Giant Polypore Meripilus giganteus Jim but don't take my word for it.

[CapAndBracket]

Meripilus giganteus would be opinion.

Cheers J.P.

[Hedge Witch]

Looks like the Giant Polypore that I found, so think that's a good call (ID'd by Mykonik):