Edible fungus?: It’s on trees in Ohio and tastes like chicken

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – It’s called chicken-of-the-woods fungi. It grows at the base of dead and living trees here in Ohio and other locations and tastes like chicken — seriously.

For National Mushroom Month, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is highlighting some fungi you can eat and those you should avoid.

Chicken-of-the-woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) is commonly found on oak trees but also on cherry or beech as well, according to ODNR.

ODNR says the fungi is “delicious” when cooked and tastes like chicken breast. If the fungus is pliable it’s good to cook and eat, if it breaks apart it’s probably too old.

ODNR even offers a recipe idea for the fungus.