How
to find and identify Maitake
Genus and Species: Grifola frondosa, Common Name: Hen of the
Woods
 Grifola frondosa
fruits anytime from early September to late October and seems to be triggered by the
first cold nights of the end of Summer. It is found mostly with dead or dying Oak trees,
though I regularly find clusters under a dead Maple (pictured at right with quite a job of
camouflaging itself). Once you find one, go back the next year and you may find it again.
I freeze enough to get me through until Morel season
in the Spring!
Description: Widely variable in color, from pure white to tan to brown
to gray. It appears to get darker depending on direct sunlight (just like we do!) Large
overlapping leaf-like fronds grow in bushy clusters that get larger with time. Each frond
is from a half to four inches across and is usually darker to the outward edges of the
"caps." The entire fruiting body can be as big as several feet across. The
underside of individual caps consists of a pure white pore surface. Grifola frondosa is
a polypore, a mushroom which disperses its spores from pores as opposed to gills. The
pores are close together and tiny, almost difficult to see. The caps are firm and juicy.
The stem is thick firm, white and branched. The spore print is white.
Happy Hunting!
- Roy Reehil
How to prepare Maitake
| More Maitake Pictures and Descriptions | Maitake recipes |
