Grifola frondosa
English: Hen of the woods; Hen-of-the-woods; Ram's head; Sheep's head.
Synonym: Boletus frondosa; Polyporus frondosa.
Italian: Signorina mushroom.
Japanese: Maitake, dancing mushroom.
Region: China, Japan, North America.
Content: Polysachharides - a and b-D - glucans, grifolan, unsaturated fatty acids, phospholipids, ergosterol.
Use: edible when young, too tough and inedible when older; medicinal.
Mycology
Saprophytic or parasitic, annual bracket fungus; dense, overlapping fronds; sensitive to environmental changes; grows in clusters at the base of trees, particularly oaks.