Young Chicken if the Woods?

[Steve Wurzel]

Normally I wouldn't have a problem identifying a mature example of Chicken of the Woods 20ft up a tree, but this example was at ground level at on beech that was covered in Meripilus giganteus



So if anyone here can confirm the photos below are of a young example Laetiporus sulphureus - Chicken of the Woods that would be great, as I haven't seen an example up close.




Growing on a very mature fallen beech stump, close to the roots.

[NickCantle]

All images show Meripilus giganteus Steve.

[Chris Yeates]

I agree with Nick - no hint of yellow, and you can see (along the left hand edge of the lower left image) the beginnings of the radially-zoned upper surface characteristic of Meripilus and well shown in the upper photo

cheers

Chris

edit doing a quick check I note that only 3% of the records of Laetiporus on FRDBI give Fagus or Fagus sylvatica as a host (admittedly not all of the total will indicate a specific host, but this does seem to indicate that it is rather rare on this host - there are twice as many records on Taxus for example and that is a much less frequently encountered tree)

[Steve Wurzel]

Thanks Nick & Chris, it's busy here at the moment

Originally Posted by Chris Yeates

I agree with Nick - no hint of yellow,

edit it is rather rare on this host -

The reason I queried it is because it appeared more yellowish than the other examples growing there Chris but I agree the substance was more akin to Meripilus giganteus in the early stages than Laetiporus sulphureus with hindsight.


I think I've only ever seen Laetiporus sulphureus growing on beech, maybe it's a regional variation, which would be interesting if it is, although I don't see it growing all that often.

Here's some photos from last year of what I believe to be a Laetiporus sulphureus on mature beech just in case I'm getting my IDs muddled.



Would I be right in saying Laetiporus sulphureus is limited to living hosts? and Meripilus giganteus to dead/dying hosts?

[flaxton]

Originally Posted by Steve Wurzel

Would I be right in saying Laetiporus sulphureus is limited to living hosts? and Meripilus giganteus to dead/dying hosts?

Sorry Steve but no. I know Laetiporus sulphureus grows on both living and dead trees and I think Meripilus giganteus is the same.

Mal