# Conifer Chicken Of The Woods (*laetiporus conifericola*) The Conifer Chicken Of The Woods is a bright orange fungus that grows on trees! It looks a bit like a chicken and is a fun find in the forest. - **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** It lives on the trunks and stumps of conifer trees in forests. - **Also known as:** Coniferous Chicken Fungus, Wood Chicken ![Conifer Chicken Of The Woods](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Laetiporus_conifericola_306.jpg&width=800) Photo: This image was created by user Nathan Wilson (nathan) at Mushroom Observer , a source for mycological images. You can contact this user here, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Laetiporus_conifericola_306.jpg) ## Appearance The Conifer Chicken Of The Woods is a striking shelf fungus, featuring vibrant orange, yellow, and salmon-pink layers. Its fan-shaped or shelf-like fruiting bodies often overlap in large clusters, creating a cascading appearance that stands out against dark tree bark. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Fungi - **Phylum:** Basidiomycota - **Class:** Agaricomycetes - **Order:** Polyporales - **Family:** Laetiporaceae - **Genus:** Laetiporus ## Interesting facts - It has a unique lemony scent when fresh, not like other fungi! - It sometimes 'bleeds' a clear, yellowish liquid when cut! - This fungus can be surprisingly heavy, reaching several pounds easily! - Young specimens are much softer and more vibrant than older, fading ones. ## Special abilities - **Wood Eater Power:** Conifer Chicken Of The Woods can break down dead conifer wood, returning vital nutrients to the forest ecosystem. - **Rapid Growth Spurts:** Conifer Chicken Of The Woods has a fast growth rate that helps it quickly colonize suitable dead wood. - **Pest Repellent Shield:** Conifer Chicken Of The Woods can produce compounds that deter insects and other fungi from its growing fruiting body. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 2-10 cm - **Edible:** edible - **Size:** 10-60 cm - **Growth Substrate:** wood - **Season:** Summer to Fall - **Spore Color:** White or pale yellow ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Douglas Fir](https://www.snappit.app/explore/douglas-fir) (*Pseudotsuga menziesii*) — Breaks down wood of dead or dying firs. - **Parasitizes:** [Tamarack Larch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tamarack-larch) (*Larix laricina*) — Causes brown cubical rot in weakened larch trees. - **Eaten by:** Eastern Grey Squirrel (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Some squirrels occasionally nibble on this fungus. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always ask an adult before touching or eating wild mushrooms. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Conifer Chicken Of The Woods? Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Conifer Chicken Of The Woods? 2-10 cm ### Is Conifer Chicken Of The Woods edible? edible ### How big is Conifer Chicken Of The Woods? 10-60 cm ### Where is Conifer Chicken Of The Woods usually found? It lives on the trunks and stumps of conifer trees in forests. ### What does Conifer Chicken Of The Woods grow on? wood ### When is Conifer Chicken Of The Woods in season? Summer to Fall ### What color are Conifer Chicken Of The Woods spores? White or pale yellow ## Where to spot - [Alder Creek Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alder-creek-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Shorty Lovelace Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shorty-lovelace-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Bogachiel State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bogachiel-state-park) — Washington, US · State Park [View all places to see Conifer Chicken Of The Woods](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/conifer-chicken-of-the-woods) ## More Fungi - [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*) --- Source: [Conifer Chicken Of The Woods Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/conifer-chicken-of-the-woods)