Berkeley's polypore: Colossal oak-loving edible mushrooms that resemble pale chicken of the woods

Berkeley’s polypore (Bondarzewia berkeleyi) is an edible—and often colossal—mushroom. The fan-shaped, overlapping fruiting bodies are cream and tan-colored and grow in rosettes at the base of oak trees. The mushrooms have a porous underside and groovy concentric growth zones on top. But foragers beware—Berkeley’s polypore becomes leathery and stinky with age, just like the specimens in this video.

Berkeley’s polypore resembles a common Eastern U.S. chicken of the woods mushroom called Laetiporus cincinnatus. But unlike the flamboyant pink and orange hues of Laetiporus cincinnatus, Berkeley’s polypore is subdued and neutral—like a chicken of the woods dressed for a job fair. Cream, beige, dingy white, light tan, sun-bleached khaki, warm gray...there are many ways to describe Bondarzewia berkeleyi as pale and not particularly colorful.

This species is popular with mushroom hunters who frequent oak forests like I do. It’s not for everyone, and the window for harvesting it is short. Although the mushrooms resist rot, they quickly become tough and fibrous and develop an unpleasant flavor. But Bondarzewia berkeleyi mushrooms can make excellent jerky and other dishes with strong flavors because the porous undersurface and sturdy, consistent flesh marinate well. Personally, I enjoy observing the organisms that are attracted to this mushroom. The long-lasting and robust fruiting bodies become home to colonies of beetles, interesting microorganisms that smell like fresh-baked bread, and all sorts of other fascinating nonsense. So, let’s get going with this quick ID guide of Berkeley’s polypore, including footage of disgruntled beetles who I accidentally disturbed.