Hen of the Woods

Hen of the Woods is a soft-fleshed polypore with brown, wavy caps. It comprises of many densely packed branches that divide from a single, branched stem structure and end in undulating, leaf-like fronds. Individual fronds are 4 to 10cm across and 0.5cm to 1cm thick and are a mixture of tan, olive, ochre or grey-brown. The underside has whitish, angular or circular pores.

They can be seen from summer through to autumn and are usually found at the base of oak trees or occasionally other hardwoods.

Hen of the Woods is widespread but occasional in Britain.