According to Mykoweb, Chicken of the Woods is unlikely to be mistaken for another species. The showy fungus does vary in its shade of yellow from year to year and even throughout its several week life span. The large mushroom is generally more scenic than just a lump hiding in the iceplant, sprouting every year from the roots of the same tree, between October and early December.
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Disclaimer: The Corralitas Red Car Property Blog prefers to quote reliable sources, such as CalFlora and California Poison Control on the issue of toxicity. MykoWeb is the resource everyone seems to refer to for mushrooms. The Los Angeles Mycological Society has a recommended reading list.
