"Chicken of the Woods"

Deuce and I went for a walk this morning and I spotted something I've not seen in years - Chicken of the Woods. 

Chicken of the Woods is the common name for the edible mushroom Laetiporus sulphureus. How did it get the name Chicken of the Woods? I can only guess it tastes like chicken.

Don't look for me to test that out. 

Wikipedia says eating the mushroom can cause mild reactions in some people, such as swollen lips or vomiting. Really? Its bright orange color wasn't a tell-tale sign of possible toxicity? 

One of the earliest woodland lessons from my grandfather was to treat brightly colored mushrooms or fungus as suspect. It could be his mother didn't like mushrooms all that much and wouldn't eat them. I'll never know for sure, but eating this woodland produce isn't part of my family tradition. 

All that aside, it's a beautiful thing, a bright spot of orange in the green and brown woods. I don't know where it's been for these many years (lying dormant of course), but I'm glad it has reappeared to remind me of my grandfather and his wisdom. 

The Lady of Holly Tree Manor (The Hideaway)

 Holly Tree Manor, The Hideaway, woodland walks, country living, rural lifestyle, life lessons, wild mushrooms, wild fungus, simple country pleasures, a writer's life