Source-reviewed species profile
Hen of the woods Grifola frondosa
A large rosette of many grey-brown tongue-shaped caps with white pores. This profile covers broad field features, season and habitat for learning.
Where can I find hen of the woods?
At the base of mature deciduous trees and on buried roots, especially oak.
In Mycoverse you can select Hen of the woods and compare candidate search areas using a species-specific assessment of rainfall, estimated soil moisture, temperature, forest type, tree signals, canopy cover, terrain and season. Where source coverage is available, the assessment also uses historical species observations. Historical observations are historical data, not recent finds.
Images, text and app suggestions cannot confirm a species or food safety.
Field features
- A large rosette of many grey-brown tongue-shaped caps with white pores.
Habitat and search guidance
At the base of mature deciduous trees and on buried roots, especially oak.
Months
August–November
Safety status
The species is not presented as food without a current Norwegian Norm List status. Not presented as a food mushroom. This profile supports learning and safer boundaries; it does not approve a finding.
Sources and review status
Last reviewed: 30 September 2026.