According to Michael Kuo at https://www.mushroomexpert.com/meripilus_sumstinei.html, M. sumstinei instead of M. giganteus should be used. This specimen was found mid-summer, the correct time for M. sumsteinei, but much too early for the fall-loving Grifola frondosa around here. Mid-September is my earliest find for the Maitake/Hen of the Wods/ Sheepshead Grifola here, being fairly common from then until mid-November. Also, when I harvested pieces from this specimen, they stained black within 20 minutes of harvest.
judymac
2018-08-01
2018-08-01
United States of America, Pennsylvania, Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania, USA