Identifying Turkey Tail Mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor can be more difficult than expected, but these few tips will help you decide if your Turkey Tail is indeed what you think it is.
Turkey Tail mushrooms are one of the most common mushrooms in the woods. You have more than likely seen them growing on fallen trees and stumps in the forest, even if you are not actively looking. While weve all seen them, there are also plenty of look-a-likes and their colors can be widely variable, so you really need to turn your attention to the details to make sure that what you have is not an imposter.
Foraging for wild mushrooms can be an enjoyable hobby that gets you outdoors and connects you to nature. However, it also requires caution and proper identification skills to avoid poisoning Fortunately, the turkey tail mushroom is a safe, common, and easy-to-identify species, making it a great mushroom for beginners.
As someone new to mushroom foraging, I wanted to learn how to confidently identify turkey tail mushrooms. After researching multiple sources, here is the comprehensive guide I created on accurately identifying this unique fungus in the wild.
What are Turkey Tail Mushrooms?
Turkey tail mushrooms, known scientifically as Trametes versicolor are a common polypore mushroom found throughout the world. They grow in overlapping clusters on dead wood, stumps, and fallen logs.
Turkey tail mushrooms are named for their striking appearance. They have a fan or half-circle shape, with colorful concentric bands of brown, reddish, gray, and cream. The caps have a velvety texture and tiny pores underneath.
These mushrooms have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Modern research also indicates turkey tail mushrooms contain antioxidants and may support immune health.
Key Identification Features of Turkey Tail
When trying to identify turkey tail mushrooms, there are some key features to look for:
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Pores on underside The underside of the cap should have tiny densely packed pores that appear white or light-colored. These pores release the mushroom’s spores.
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Concentric bands of color: The top surface should display concentric rings of varying shades of brown, tan, gray, and white. The colors can differ but form clear bands.
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Velvety texture: The cap should feel soft and velvety. This is due to fine hairs covering it.
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Flexibility: The turkey tail mushroom should be thin and pliable. Older specimens become harder and brittle.
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Growing habits: Look for turkey tails growing in overlapping shelves directly on wood, stumps, and logs. They often form a row of fans.
Lookalikes to Avoid
Some other mushrooms resemble the turkey tail but lack the beneficial compounds. Watch out for:
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False turkey tail – Has a yellow underside without pores. Often grows algae.
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Hairy curtain crust -Smooth yellow underside and very hairy cap texture.
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Bitter porecrust – Has a gray to tan underside with large teeth-like pores.
When unsure, never consume any mushroom. Take detailed photos and consult an expert.
Tips for Positively Identifying Turkey Tail
Follow these tips when trying to identify turkey tail mushrooms:
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Carefully check the underside pores using a magnifying glass or camera zoom. They should be small and tightly packed.
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Look for visible color banding on the top cap. This is a key turkey tail feature.
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Compare to multiple reference photos and samples. Become very familiar with the mushroom.
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When possible, consult a guidebook or experienced mushroom hunter. Getting a second opinion is wise.
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Only harvest if you’re 100% certain of the identification. Better safe than sorry.
Harvesting and Enjoying Turkey Tail Mushrooms
Once you’ve positively identified turkey tail mushrooms, you can begin sustainably harvesting them. Here are some ways to use your turkey tail bounty:
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Prepare a nourishing tea from dried or fresh turkey tail mushrooms. This releases their beneficial compounds.
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Make a turkey tail tincture with vodka for an immune-supporting supplement.
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Add thin strips of turkey tail to soups and broths to infuse them with flavor and nutrients. Always cook this mushroom first.
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Display the attractive turkey tails in natural arrangements around your home. Just don’t consume decorative mushrooms.
Turkey Tail Identification Resources
To further hone your turkey tail identification skills, utilize these helpful resources:
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Detailed turkey tail lookalike comparisons at MushroomExpert.com
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Printable turkey tail identification checklist at RealMushrooms.com
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Video guide on spotting lookalikes from FeralForaging on YouTube
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High-resolution turkey tail identification photos at MushroomObserver.org
Proper identification is crucial for safe wild foraging. But armed with the right knowledge, you can confidently learn to identify turkey tail mushrooms and enjoy their unique benefits. Use this guide as a reference, study multiple sources, practice often, and consult experts whenever unsure. Happy turkey tail hunting!
Turkey Tail Identification Tips
1. The first thing you want to look for is- Are they growing on wood? Turkey Tail is first and foremost a wood-decay mushroom, so it would be unusual to find them growing on a non-wood-based substrate.
2. Do they have pores on the underside? Turkey Tail look-a-likes can have a variety of different undersides, displaying anything from smooth to gilled, to toothed. True Turkey Tail has a porous underside with approximately 1 to 3 pores per millimeter. For reference, youre looking for about 3 pores per tip of a ballpoint pen (handy tip: use a magnifying glass).
3. Do they have a silky, fuzzy top with distinct color bands? Turkey Tail will have a velvety top while some of its common look-a-likes have a smooth top.
4. Are they thin and flexible? You should be able to bend Turkey with very little effort.
If you answered yes to all of these, its more than likely a true Turkey Tail. One thing to note is that there is a lot of variability in the fungis appearance base on age, sun exposure, season, etc. If you have something you think is Turkey Tail, look at more than the first photo you come across as youll likely have some color variation.
How to use Turkey Tail
Now, are they good to eat? Heck no. But they do make a medicinal tea and inoculated logs can make a long lasting, fabulous landscape piece. We trialed many strains of Turkey Tail and the strain we landed on usually fruits within the same year of inoculation. If you want a consistent supply of Turkey Tail you can inoculate logs with Turkey Tail Plug Spawn. Otherwise a good hunt is a great way to get out and enjoy your natural woodlands.
How to Identify Turkey Tail Mushrooms ( and distinguish from false lookalikes )
FAQ
How to tell if a mushroom is turkey tail?
Are false turkey tails edible?
What does turkey tail mushroom do for the body?
How do you know if a turkey tail mushroom is real?
Here are some tips to help identify turkey tail mushrooms: Check the Pores: Turkey tail mushrooms have tiny pores on the underside of the cap, which are white or light-colored. The pores should be very small and tightly grouped together. If the pores are larger, it could be a false turkey tail mushroom.
What is the difference between Turkey Tail mushrooms and false turkey tail mushrooms?
Additionally, turkey tail mushrooms have very small pores that are tightly grouped together, while false turkey tail has larger, irregular pores. Turkey tail mushrooms, also known as Trametes versicolor, are one of the most common and recognizable mushrooms found in the wild.
Are turkey tail mushrooms polypore mushrooms?
The underside of turkey tail, like all polypore mushrooms, has tiny pores. Each of these pores contains spores that the fungus releases for reproduction. This video shows the various features of true turkey tail mushroom.
Are turkey tail mushrooms real?
Turkey tail mushrooms have several lookalikes that can be easily mistaken for the real thing. Here are some common lookalikes and how to differentiate them: False Turkey Tail: This mushroom looks similar to turkey tail but has a smooth underside with no pores.