Chicken of the Woods - Laetiporus sulphureus

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Alternative names
Sulphur Polypore
Description

A large to very large polypore, growing in a cluster from a common stem.  Individual caps are quite small, yellow to orange, with rounded to angular yellow pores, 3 - 4 per mm.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Photograph whole polypore cluster in habitat, photogrpah fertile surface; note host plant and substrate

Habitat

Deciduous trees, typically oak, also Prunus, Salix and other deciduous species

When to see it

July to October.

UK Status

Widespread and fairly common in Britain.

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

  • Ron.stevens
    Ullesthorpe Stewardship Farm
    27 May 2013
  • David Nicholls
    The Brand, Woodhouse
    15 June 2013
  • Ian Merrill
    Whitwick, Swannymote Road
    17 August 2022
  • Barbara Cooper
    Rutland Water
    20 August 2013
  • Alan Semper
    Melton Mowbray, Play Close park
    12 May 2012
  • Graham Calow
    Burbage Common and Woods
    26 September 2012

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Common names
Chicken Of The Woods, Sulphur Polypore
Species group:
Fungi
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Polyporales
Family:
Fomitopsidaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
102
First record:
10/06/2010 (Tivey, Chris)
Last record:
01/10/2025 (Pochin, Christine)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records

  • Barbara Cooper
    Rutland Water
    20 August 2013
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson, West End
    13 September 2013
  • Graham Calow
    Stoneygate Drive, Hinckley
    04 November 2015
  • David Nicholls
    The Brand, Woodhouse
    15 June 2013
  • Peter Smith
    Cropston
    28 August 2011
    growing on Prunus
  • Paul Ruddoch
    Memorial Gardens
    04 August 2014
    on Yew
  • Graham Calow
    Ullesthorpe, near road to Lodge Farm
    09 May 2025
  • rockfowl
    Aylestone Meadows
    09 August 2025
  • Barbara Cooper
    Rutland Water
    20 August 2013