Is this mushroom - Hen of the Woods?

[uncle eddie]

Mushrooms are not technically a vegetable but the USDA classifies them as such...so the question is posted here.

I did 20 acres or so of TSI (timber stand improvement) on my farm a couple of years back. This past late winter, we used prescribed fire to burn up the downed timber and also release all the forbs for the deer and turkey.

I am finding several of these mushrooms now. I think it is Hen of the Woods but was hoping someone else might have an opinion. It is huge!

My fungi knowledge stops at Morels...

 

[indaswamp]

Hen of the woods mushroom always grows on the base of trees. Can't see in the pic., but is there a large root under the mushroom?

 

[Gonna Smoke]

My fungi knowledge stops at Morels...

Mine stops at Walmart...

 

[indaswamp]

Like this....

https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/635693

 

[timray]

Compare with Berkeley's polypore (Bondarzewia berkeleyi)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bondarzewia_berkeleyi

Here's one that looks almost like yours:
https://healing-mushrooms.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Bondarzewia-Berkeleyi.jpg

It could be Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa).

It's definitely not Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulpheurus or Laetiporus cincinnatus).

But I think it's a Berkeley's (black-staining) polypore.

 

[chopsaw]

https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/mo_nature/downloads/page/MushroomGuide.pdf

 

[jcam222]

I belong to a mushroom Facebook group. I'll post it up and ask. Some very knowledgeable folks in it.

 

[jcam222]

Several responded firmly that's it is not chicken or hen of the woods. They believe it is Meripilus sumstinei

 

[indaswamp]

I am by no means an expert mushroom hunter...But I know a little bit. Looks like a Black staining polypore to me...

https://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/black-staining-polypore.html

 

[uncle eddie]

We just cut down about 50% of this 20 acre stand two years ago. Betting there was something there. Will look again next time I get there…probably this weekend.

 

[indaswamp]

We just cut down about 50% of this 20 acre stand two years ago. Betting there was something there. Will look again next time I get there…probably this weekend.

This strengthens my guess that it is a black staining polypore. They grow on decaying wood.

 

[Jonok]

This strengthens my guess that it is a black staining polypore. They grow on decaying wood.

It is certainly a black staining polypore….
They are really tough, but make a great broth. (Sautéed in butter, deglaze with white wine, and add an appropriate amount of water). If they’re really early, you can eat the edges, but like most polypores, they’re pretty leathery.