Sarah Brown
Turkey Tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor) are some of the most common mushrooms in North America, and they can be found all over the world. They are also known as cloud fungi in China, kawaratake (meaning mushroom by the river) in Japan, and Turkey Tails in North America, owing to their resemblance to a turkey's tail in shape and colour. They are known to have medicinal properties and have been used as remedies against liver cancer and jaundice. Here are some ways to identify them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor |
| Common Name | Turkey Tail |
| Appearance | Concentric bands of colours, fine velvety texture, pliable |
| Cap | Semicircular to spoon-shaped, irregular, thin |
| Zones | Black-green, grey-blue, grey-brown, ochre-rust |
| Texture | Leathery, with alternately hairy and smooth zones |
| Underside | White pores |
| Habitat | Grows on stumps and logs of deciduous trees |
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What You'll Learn
- Check for a rich brown colour, similar to a turkey's tail
- Examine the underside of the mushroom for white pores
- Look for algae—if there is any, it's not a turkey tail mushroom
- Identify the mushroom's habitat—turkey tails grow on decaying wood
- Compare the margin of the mushroom—it should be white, not purple or lilac
Check for a rich brown colour, similar to a turkey's tail
Turkey Tail mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor, are some of the most commonly found mushrooms in North America. They get their name from the striking multi-coloured bands that adorn the mushroom's cap, resembling the tail of a turkey. These bands can come in various colours, including black-green, grey-blue, grey-brown, and ochre-rust, but they tend to be predominantly grey or brown.
When identifying a Turkey Tail mushroom, it is imperative to check for a rich brown colour, similar to that of a turkey's tail feathers. This characteristic colour is one of the most defining features of the mushroom and can help distinguish it from its many look-alikes. The brown colour is usually present in the bands or zones on the upper side of the mushroom cap, creating a beautiful, undulating pattern.
While the colour is an important indicator, it is not the only factor to consider. The true test of a Turkey Tail mushroom lies beneath the cap. When you flip the mushroom over, you should see white or whitish-yellow pores on the underside. These pores are a crucial distinguishing feature, setting the Turkey Tail apart from similar-looking mushrooms.
Additionally, pay attention to the texture of the mushroom. Turkey Tail mushrooms have a unique, fine velvety texture, with small, velvety hairs covering the bands. This soft, almost furry feeling can help confirm that you have found a genuine Turkey Tail.
By combining the identification of the rich brown colour with the examination of the underside pores and velvety texture, you can be more confident in your ability to recognise Turkey Tail mushrooms in the wild. Remember always to be absolutely sure of your identifications before consuming any wild mushrooms.
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Examine the underside of the mushroom for white pores
Turkey Tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor) are some of the most prolific mushrooms in North America. They are also known as cloud fungi in China and kawaratake, or "mushroom by the river", in Japan.
Turkey Tail mushrooms have distinct bands of varying colours on the top side of the mushroom, and are covered with small hairs. The underside of the mushroom, however, should be whitish in colour with tiny, uniform pores present. These pores contain spores that the fungus releases for reproduction.
The Violet Toothed Polypore or Trichaptum biforme can look very similar to a Turkey Tail mushroom. However, the underside of the Violet Toothed Polypore has larger, tooth-like purple pores. The Multicolor Gill Polypore or Lenzites betulina also looks similar to a Turkey Tail mushroom, but it has a gill-like underside. False Turkey Tails, or Stereum ostrea, are another common lookalike. They have a smooth, non-porous underside that is usually beige in colour.
When foraging for Turkey Tail mushrooms, it is important to be able to identify them with 100% accuracy before consuming them.
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Look for algae—if there is any, it's not a turkey tail mushroom
Turkey Tail mushrooms are one of the most prolific mushrooms in North America and are fun to forage for. They are also known as Trametes versicolor and grow on dead logs and trees in the wild. They are used to make tea and have been known to have medicinal properties, such as fighting cancer.
Turkey Tail mushrooms have a few look-alikes, including false turkey tail mushrooms. These imposters are commonly called Stereum ostrea, Stereum hirsutum, and Trichaptum abietinum. While there are no toxic lookalikes, these false mushrooms do not contain the health-supporting compounds that true turkey tail mushrooms are known for.
One way to tell the difference between true and false turkey tail mushrooms is to look for algae. If there is algae on the mushroom, it is not a true turkey tail mushroom. False turkey tails often have green algae on their caps, which gives them a distinct appearance. This algae lives in harmony with the fungus, using it to gain a better position to photosynthesize.
To identify a true turkey tail mushroom, look for tiny pores on the underside of the mushroom. These pores are used by the fungus to release spores for reproduction. The top side of the mushroom should also have very fine hairs, giving it a velvety texture. Additionally, the mushroom should have concentric bands of different shades and be thin and flexible.
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Identify the mushroom's habitat—turkey tails grow on decaying wood
Turkey Tail mushrooms, scientifically known as Trametes versicolor, are some of the most prolific mushrooms in North America, growing all over the world. They are called "mushrooms by the river" in Japan, and "cloud fungi" in China due to their undulating shapes.
Turkey Tail mushrooms grow on decaying wood, specifically on dead trees and logs in forests. They are an important decomposer in forest environments.
Turkey Tail mushrooms have a rich brown colour when ripe, resembling the colours of a turkey's tail. They have multiple stripes that follow the contours of the mushroom's shape, giving it its name, versicolor.
When identifying Turkey Tail mushrooms, it is important to check for the absence of algae on the mushroom, as this indicates a different type of mushroom. The underside of a Turkey Tail mushroom should be bright white with tiny pores, while the top side has very fine hairs, giving it a velvety texture.
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Compare the margin of the mushroom—it should be white, not purple or lilac
Turkey Tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor) are some of the most prolific mushrooms in North America and can be found all over the world. They are also known as cloud fungi in China and kawaratake, or "mushroom by the river", in Japan.
Turkey Tail mushrooms have a surprising number of look-alikes, but one key characteristic to look out for is the colour of the margin of the mushroom. It should be white, not purple or lilac. The underside of the mushroom is where the key to identifying this mushroom lies. The top may be multicoloured, with bands of grey or brown, but the underside should have white pores. The margin of the mushroom, where it may meet the log or stump from which it is growing, should also be white.
Turkey Tail mushrooms grow in clusters of leathery, thin brackets with multicoloured zones on top and white pores on the underside. They grow on the stumps and logs of deciduous trees and are a whitish network of cells (mycelium) that digest and decompose dead wood. When the mycelium is ready to reproduce, the mushroom emerges from the log.
Turkey Tail mushrooms are popular for foraging and can be used to make tea or soup, or taken in powdered form in a capsule. They have also been used medicinally, although there has been little research to prove their safety.
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Frequently asked questions
Turkey tail mushrooms are one of the most common mushrooms in the woods. They grow in clusters on the stumps and logs of deciduous trees. They have a dry, leathery texture and a semicircular to spoon-shaped cap with multiple stripes of colour. The underside of the mushroom is white with tiny pores.
Turkey tail mushrooms have a rich brown colour, similar to that of a turkey's tail. They have multiple stripes that follow the contours of the mushroom's shape, which are often multicoloured. The underside of the mushroom is white with tiny pores. They have a dry, leathery texture.
There are many look-alikes of the turkey tail mushroom, but none of them are toxic. To distinguish a turkey tail mushroom from its look-alikes, check the underside of the mushroom. If it has teeth, it is not a turkey tail mushroom. If it has pores, count the number of pores per mm. A turkey tail mushroom will have around 6 pores/mm, while a false turkey tail mushroom will have larger pores and only 3 pores/mm.
