Chicken Of The Wood?

[Rae000]

I have been told that the Fungi in the photo below is a Bracket Fungus, Chicken Of The Wood-Laetiporus sulphureus...firstly, is this correct and secondly, can anyone tell me how it got it's name...many thanks

[Lancashire Lad]

Yes, it is Laetiporus sulphureus - Chicken of the woods.

They certainly come from the woods.
But as for the etymology, well, depending on who you want to believe: -

Some say they taste like chicken.

Some say they are the colour of a young chick.

Some say they behave like chicken when cooked. (i.e. white flaky flesh).

I'd probably go with the colour option, but I guess the true origin is lost in time.

Regards,
Mike.

[NickCantle]

Colour of Chicken feet!

[Rae000]

Thanks, very interesting

[hamadryad]

I always assumed the name "chicken of the woods" came about due to its abundance, like the food of the woods as it is like chicken freely avaliable and plentyfull? as in hen of the woods, grifola frondosa, both these wood, soory would have been common in the woodlands of old, a time when our british public where less afraid of food not in plastic bags!

[AdamAitch]

Found two chicken of the woods in a wood in South London on Monday. One on oak and the other on sweet chestnut.

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by hamadryad

I always assumed the name "chicken of the woods" came about due to its abundance, like the food of the woods as it is like chicken freely avaliable and plentyfull? as in hen of the woods, grifola frondosa, both these wood, soory would have been common in the woodlands of old, a time when our british public where less afraid of food not in plastic bags!

No, I doubt that is the reason why it was called 'Chicken of The Woods' it is more to do with its appearance as with Hen of the Woods. By the way the Japanese name for Hen of the Woods is Maitake, which translates as 'Dancing Mushroom' obviously a different take on it.

Andy