Which mushroom is commonly called hen-of-the-woods?

Which mushroom is commonly called hen-of-the-woods? Grifola frondosa is commonly known by that name.

Grifola frondosa is a large polypore that grows in clustered, overlapping fronds, often around the bases of mature oak or maple trees. Its layered gray-brown caps give the fruiting body a ruffled appearance, which explains the English name. In Japan it is widely known as maitake.

The mushroom is native to parts of China, Europe, and eastern North America. It is edible and has a long culinary history in East Asia, where its firm texture and savory flavor make it suitable for soups, stir-fries, and other dishes. It may return to the same site in successive years because the underlying fungal organism persists in the wood or soil.

Hen-of-the-woods is sometimes confused with chicken of the woods, Laetiporus sulphureus, which is usually yellow or orange. Another look-alike, Meripilus sumstinei, can stain dark or black when bruised. Identification matters because wild mushrooms should not be eaten based on a common name alone.