The Great Chicken Chase: 5 Look-Alike Mushrooms that Fool Chicken of the Woods Enthusiasts

As a novice mushroom forager, you might have heard of the delicious chicken of the woods mushroom. With its striking yellow-orange color and meaty texture, it is a highly desirable edible mushroom that is a favorite among foragers. However, identifying it correctly is crucial for both safety and enjoyment purposes.

One day, you come across what you think is chicken of the woods and bring it home to cook. Little did you know that it was actually a highly toxic look-alike mushroom. Your perfect dish turned into a deadly mistake.

Do not let this happen to you or anyone. In this blog, we will explore the look-alike mushrooms that can fool enthusiasts of chicken of the woods and how to avoid them.

Before diving into the look-alikes, let us define Chicken of the Woods. It is a bright yellow to orange mushroom with a meaty texture and a taste similar to chicken. It typically grows on dead or decaying trees and is typically found in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Among mushrooms, Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) is easily one of the most sought-after species. It is highly prized in cuisine and considered a delicacy by many chefs and foodies alike. Due to its popularity, it can be hard to come by in the wild, and many people choose to buy it from specialty markets or online.

Here comes the tricky part. Unfortunately, several other mushrooms closely resemble chicken of the woods, and mistaking them for the real deal can be dangerous.

The first look-alike on our list is the Jack O'Lantern mushroom (Omphalotus illudens or Omphalotus olearius). Named after the eerie-looking lights that flicker on Halloween night, this mushroom bears a striking resemblance to Chicken of the Woods in both color and shape. However, it is highly poisonous and can cause severe gastrointestinal issues and nervous system damage.

To tell it apart from Chicken of the Woods, look for its gills, which Chicken of the Woods lacks. Also, if the mushroom is growing on the ground instead of a tree, then it is not Chicken of the Woods.

Another mushroom that might be confused with Chicken of the Woods is the Cinnabar Polypore (Pycnoporus cinnabarinus). It can be mistaken for Chicken of the Woods because of its bright orange-red color. Although it is not toxic, it is not considered edible.

To differentiate between the two, look for the following features:

• Color and Texture: Chicken of the Woods is bright yellow to orange with a meaty texture, whereas the Cinnabar Polypore is more red-orange and has a corky texture.

• Growth Habitat: Chicken of the Woods grows on dead or dying hardwood trees, while the Cinnabar Polypore also grows on dead wood but is often found on smaller branches or twigs.

• Underside: Chicken of the Woods has fine pores, while the Cinnabar Polypore has more pronounced, larger pores.

The hairy stereum (Stereum hirsutum), also called the false turkey tail mushroom, is another mushroom that resembles Chicken of the Woods. It is often found growing on dead trees and logs and has a dark orange-brown color. It is not toxic, but it is not edible either.

To distinguish between it and Chicken of the Woods, look for its hairy cap and lack of pores. Chicken of the Woods has a smooth cap and tiny pores along the underside.

The black staining polypore (Meripilus sumstinei) is a mushroom that grows on coniferous trees and is similar in appearance to Chicken of the Woods. It has a yellow-orange color on top and is often covered with blackish-brown stains. Eating it is not deadly, but it has been known to cause digestive discomfort.

To differentiate between it and Chicken of the Woods, look at the stem. The black staining polypore has a black, fibrous stem that is not edible. Chicken of the Woods, on the other hand, has a tender, fleshy stem that is also edible.

The giant polypore (Meripilus giganteus) is another look-alike to Chicken of the Woods. It is large, robust, and has a yellow-orange color on top, similar to Chicken of the Woods. However, it can cause digestive issues and is not edible.

To distinguish between the two, look for its underside. The giant polypore has round, irregular pores that exude black liquid when squeezed. Chicken of the Woods, on the other hand, has fine pores that do not secrete any liquid.

Correctly identifying mushrooms is crucial for safe and enjoyable foraging. The Chicken of the Woods mushroom is a favorite among foragers, but it has several toxic look-alikes. The Jack O'Lantern mushroom, hairy stereum, black staining polypore, and giant polypore are all species that can be easily mistaken for Chicken of the Woods.

Now that you know how to identify the look-alikes let us recap the key features of chicken of the woods and how it differs from the other mushrooms discussed earlier. 

Remember that Chicken of the Woods lacks gills and has a fleshy, tender stem. Its underside has fine pores, and its fragrance is earthy. Additionally, it can only be found on dead or dying trees, and it has a bright orange-yellow color.

Always ask an experienced forager or a mushroom expert for help if you are in doubt.

If you want to buy chicken of the woods, it is best to look for it at your local farmer's market or specialty food stores.

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