maitake
noun
mai·ta·ke
ˈmī-ˌtä-kē
mī-ˈtä-kē
plural maitakes
: an edible bracket fungus (Grifola frondosa) of North America and Eurasia that forms large clusters of pale gray to brown fruiting bodies comprised of wavy, fanlike caps found usually at the base of trees and that is valued for its earthy flavor and medicinal properties : hen of the woods
Maitakes are one of the few mushrooms that taste arguably as good cultivated as they do wild.—Becky Selengut
… we have discovered a second maitake at the edge of our woods, and last year the combined weight of the two was 26 pounds.—The Valley Breeze & Observer (Smithfield, Rhode Island)
Asian cultures have long coveted the maitake for its purported medicinal properties.—Jim McCormac
… wine-friendly food, such as maitake mushroom tempura, halibut with spring peas, and duck confit with barley.—Harvey Steiman
Cite this Entry
“Maitake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maitake. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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