Chicken of the Woods (COW) The Forager’s Favorite

If you stumble across a bright orange and yellow shelf fungus on the side of an old oak or hardwood, you may have just found one of the most prized wild edibles in Wisconsin: Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus). Its meaty texture and mild flavor really do resemble chicken, making it a favorite for vegan cooking or foragers looking for a wild alternative to store-bought meat.

This mushroom is easy to spot—its neon hues almost glow in the woods, and unlike some trickier fungi, it has no poisonous lookalikes, making it a safe “beginner’s mushroom.” Found late spring through fall, it often grows in big clusters, so one discovery can fill your basket fast.

As with all wild mushrooms, proper identification is key. Some people can have mild reactions, especially when eating Chicken of the Woods raw. Cooking thoroughly is always recommended.

• Be aware of the host tree: Only harvest chicken of the woods from hardwood trees (like oak, beech, or poplar). Do not eat mushrooms that grow on conifer, locust, or eucalyptus trees, as these can be toxic. 

Heritage Hemp Farm Commitment

At Heritage Hemp Farm, I’m a certified forager, deeply committed to both education and conservation. I can help you confidently identify mushrooms—ensuring safety and responsible stewardship. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to explore or learn more!

Whether you’re into cooking, conservation, or curious identification, I’m here to share knowledge, specimens, and guidance. Although I generally forage on private lands, I will surely share my public foraging spots on another project of mine, The Stoner’s Travel Guide to Wisconsin. If you have private lands and want me to walk them with you to identify mushrooms, please do not hesitate to contact me.

And do not forget two other important noteworthy items:

Our annual festival, From The Land is always held on the third weekend in October and we usually have a mushroom vendor at this event.

The coalition to designate the Hen of the Wood as the official Wisconsin State Mushroom asks you to join us in declaring “Hen-of-the-Woods” (Grifola Frondosa) as the official Wisconsin state mushroom by signing the petition today. We plan to use the petition in attracting new sponsors to this legislation and build the database of people who care.