# Hen of the Woods (*Grifola*) The Hen of the Woods is a fun mushroom that looks like a big, fluffy hen. It grows at the base of trees and is a tasty treat for some people! - **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Around oak trees in forests - **Also known as:** Dancing Mushroom ![Hen of the Woods](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424719/objects/5118.jpg) ## Appearance The Hen of the Woods has many wavy, overlapping, fan-shaped fronds that are creamy white underneath and grayish-brown on top, resembling a ruffled chicken or a pile of leaves. It grows in a large, intricate cluster at the base of trees, making it visually distinct from single-stemmed mushrooms. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Fungi - **Phylum:** Basidiomycota - **Class:** Agaricomycetes - **Order:** Polyporales - **Family:** Grifolaceae - **Genus:** Grifola ## Interesting facts - It can grow enormous, sometimes weighing as much as a small child! - Its unique shape provides shelter for tiny insects and critters on the forest floor! - Some clusters of Hen of the Woods can live and fruit for over 50 years! - This mushroom is often called 'Maitake' in Japan, meaning 'dancing mushroom'! ## Special abilities - **Root System Power:** Hen of the Woods has an extensive underground mycelial network that helps them absorb nutrients from wood, fueling their large growth. - **Seasonal Return:** Hen of the Woods can reappear in the same spot for many years because its underground network is perennial, ensuring a yearly harvest. - **Wood Decomposer:** Hen of the Woods actively breaks down dead hardwoods, recycling vital nutrients back into the forest soil. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-40 cm - **Edible:** edible - **Size:** 10-100 cm - **Growth Substrate:** wood - **Season:** Fall - **Spore Color:** White ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** Red Oak (*Quercus rubra*) — Feeds on living and dead wood of oak trees. - **Eats:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Deer forage on its large, meaty fronds. - **Eats:** Spanish Slug (*Arion lusitanicus*) — Slugs sometimes munch on its tender fronds. ## Traits - [Spore Producing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spore-producing): Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [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 Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hen 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 Hen of the Woods? 10-40 cm ### Is Hen of the Woods edible? edible ### How big is Hen of the Woods? 10-100 cm ### Where is Hen of the Woods usually found? Around oak trees in forests ### What does Hen of the Woods grow on? wood ### When is Hen of the Woods in season? Fall ### What color are Hen of the Woods spores? White ## Where to spot - [Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gibraltar-rock-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park - [Bridgeport Downtown South Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bridgeport-downtown-south-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Cheney Brothers Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cheney-brothers-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Doane's Falls](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/doanes-falls) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Fork Factory Brook](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fork-factory-brook) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Mattatuck State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mattatuck-state-forest) — Connecticut, US · Forest [View all places to see Hen of the Woods](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/hen-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: [Hen of the Woods: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hen-of-the-woods)