Where’s Wildlife · Mushroom Field Guide
Grifola frondosa
Pronounced (approx.): GRIFF-oh-luh fron-DOH-suh
Also called Maitake, this fungus forms rosettes of overlapping gray-brown fans.
Hen of the Woods. Select the photo to browse the gallery. Photographs © Where’s Wildlife.
NATIVE
Fruiting varies with local weather and habitat.
Numerous wavy fan-shaped caps
White pores underneath
Rosettes at a tree base
Compare form, texture and growing surfaces in the photographs below.
The gallery includes gray-brown rosettes and pale tan specimens identified in the field by the photographer. Compare the overlapping fans, branched base and white pore surfaces.
Black-staining Polypore has larger fans and blackens when bruised. Umbrella Polypore has more distinct central stems.
Bases of oaks and other hardwoods. Summer and fall.
Grows on living and decaying hardwood roots and bases.
Numerous wavy fan-shaped caps
Rosettes at a tree base
Compare several views; keep tentative photographs separate from confirmed quiz examples.
See the observation map for reported occurrences. Exact locations of these photographs are not yet recorded.
Explore reported sightings on iNaturalist. Observation records are not a complete range map.
Photographs © Where’s Wildlife.
Identification notes & comments
Think a photograph has a different identification? Please include its filename or describe the image, suggest a name, and explain the identifying features. Links to reliable references are welcome. Thoughtful corrections help improve this guide.
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