The hen of the woods ia frilled fungus with many caps that grows on trees and which is edible when it is very young. This mushroom is quite fragrant and versatile, and is delicious in Western cuisine as well as in Japanese. It is widely cultivated, appearing in autumn (US: fall). It is apparently known as hen of the woods because its texture is similar to that of chicken breast. (If gathering mushrooms you must be absolutely certain what you have before you eat them as many are very poisonous.)
