EdibleBush
Laetiporus
Only one species need concern us here as there are few species and only one in the UK. It is Laetiporus sulphureus, also known as Chicken of the Woods. This is a famous edible species with a pleasant mushroomy flavour and a slightly fibrous texture. The best way to collect it is to remove small sections from the very edge of a young fruiting body. It is common on oaks and some other species of tree, and indicates that tree's impending doom. A word of warning - about 15% of people appear to be ill after eating this species. Not dangerously so, just unpleasantly. So try a little first to see if you like it and it likes you.
