Finding and Identifying Hen of the Woods

Hen of the woods, or maitake, is an iconic and delicious fall mushroom. And they can be huge. We'll show you how to find and identify them in the wild. For more information about mushrooms, or to purchase growing kits or spawn to grow your own mushrooms at home, visit our website at TheFungalNetwork.net.

[@denised8489]

Interesting, thanks!

[@tanekarnes5260]

Where is it's grow area in the States? I used to prowl the woods alot. I currently live in eastern Oklahoma, and haven't seen anything I know, which is limited. I need a good book of mushrooms. I'm familiar with morels.

[@thefungalnetworkvideo]

This is in the foothills of North Carolina. I'm not too familiar with what mushrooms are common in OK, but my relatives in KS definitely get lots of morels every spring🙂

[@jonathanseibert8832]

Jealous man.. I've been hunting for a few years and I've got a handful of dream finds, never seem to get lucky though. Still no hen of the woods, lions mane, morel, or cauliflower mushrooms. I've got friends that send me pics but I've never gotten on any. Some beautiful old man of the woods in my yard two days ago though!

[@thefungalnetworkvideo]

Keep hope alive, friend! Before you go out looking, spend a little time looking at photos to get your search image set, then just keep putting in your time. Eventually it will pay off. For maitake particularly, it really helps to get off the path and just wander through the woods from tree to tree. They look so much like leaves piled up at the base of the tree that you sometimes don't see them unless you're right there with them. Good luck!

[@nolancampbell4451]

I have the best luck off trail in oak or maple stands look for lumps of leaves from a distance at the base of the trees when you get up close you will realize it’s hen of the woods. I also have found big fruitings that I didn’t see till I almost stepped on them so keep your eyes peeled it’s in season right now I’m seeing many fruitings in every patch of woods near me.

[@jazminzi72]

Is that a aminita I saw in the start😂

[@thefungalnetworkvideo]

Looks sort of like it, but it was an emetic russula🙂

[@wannaoriley921]

สวัสดีค่ะสวยมากๆ 3:05

[@thefungalnetworkvideo]

ขอบคุณ🙂