Species details

Turkey tail

Trametes versicolor

Inedible
Turkey tail – Trametes versicolor

Photo: Hans Hillewaert · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo source · License

Description

A thin bracket fungus with striking multicoloured concentric zones.

Identification features

The underside has tiny white to cream pores; leathery brackets grow in overlapping tiers.

Identification checklist

Check the entire fruitbody for identification. A thin bracket fungus with striking multicoloured concentric zones. The underside has tiny white to cream pores; leathery brackets grow in overlapping tiers. Typical habitat: On dead wood of many hardwoods, less often conifers.

How to separate similar species

Compare especially with these similar species: Stereum species, Trametes ochracea. Check the combination of cap shape and colour, spore-bearing surface, stem, flesh changes and habitat. A single feature or photograph is not enough; if the key characters do not match the description, do not treat the identification as confirmed.

Habitat

On dead wood of many hardwoods, less often conifers.

Fruiting period

January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Similar species

Extended-description sources