Laetiporus gilbertsonii

🏷️ Description

Mushroom lovers, foragers, and mycology enthusiasts, meet Laetiporus gilbertsonii, a strikingly beautiful polypore fungus that graces the hardwoods of western North America with its vibrant yellow and orange hues. If you've ever stumbled upon a Sulphur Shelf or Chicken of the Woods on a eucalyptus or oak tree in California, chances are you've encountered this fascinating species!

🔮 Key Identifiers: ✔️ Found on hardwoods (not conifers). ✔️ Yellow pore surface (unless it's the rare pallidus variety). ✔️ West Coast & southwestern U.S. distribution. ✔️ Brightly colored, fleshy, overlapping shelf-like growth.

🔬 Taxonomy & Naming

This species was formally described in 2001, along with two other relatives—Laetiporus conifericola (which grows on conifers) and Laetiporus huroniensis. It was named in honor of the esteemed mycologist Robert Lee Gilbertson for his contributions to the field.

🌳 Where to Find It

If you're in the western United States, southwestern U.S., or even parts of South America, keep an eye out for L. gilbertsonii between September and November. It prefers hardwood stumps and logs, especially oak and eucalyptus, often growing in large, overlapping clusters. This fungus thrives in dry conditions and may even exude moisture from its fleshy caps!

A rare variety, Laetiporus gilbertsonii var. pallidus, is found along the Gulf Coast of the U.S. and Mexico and features a white pore surface instead of yellow.

🔎 Identification

• Caps: 1.97 to 5.51 inches (5 to 14 cm) across, fan-shaped, finely suede-like, bright yellow to orange with concentric bands, fading over time.

• Pore Surface: Bright yellow, with tiny circular to angular pores (2–3 per mm).

• Flesh: Thick, soft, and watery when young, becoming chalky with age.

• Spore Print: White.

• Microscopic Features: Spores are 4–7 x 3–5 µm, smooth, and oval.

💡 Fun Fact: This fungus often fruits from the same stump or log year after year, providing a reliable spot for foragers!

🍔 Is It Edible?

Yes—but with caution!

L. gilbertsonii is generally considered edible and delicious, often compared to chicken in texture. However, some individuals report gastrointestinal discomfort, usually from consuming older specimens or those that are not thoroughly cooked.

Edibility Tips: ✔️ Only eat young, fresh growth from the margins. ✔️ Cook thoroughly—avoid consuming it raw. ✔️ Try a small amount first to check for any reactions.

💪 Ecological Role

This fungus is both parasitic and saprobic, meaning it can infect living hardwoods (causing brown rot in the heartwood) as well as decompose dead trees. Its presence helps with nutrient cycling in forests, breaking down tough lignin in wood.

👀 Look-Alikes

1. Laetiporus sulphureus: The true “Chicken of the Woods” does not occur in western North America.

2. Pycnoporellus fulgens: Also similar but has a different pore structure.

3. Laetiporus conifericola: Looks nearly identical but grows on conifers like red fir (Abies magnifica).

Photo sources:

Photo 1 - Author: Hebe (Public Domain)

Photo 2 - Author: Jaime McGuigan (Rick Mandel)

Photo 3 - Author: Lucas Pescador Barcelos (CC BY 4.0)