Turkey Tail Fungus
This is a common fungus that can be found at times on the Green growing on hardwood logs and dead tree stumps. Very occasionally it will grow on conifer wood.
It is a bracket fungus and its scientific name of Trametes versicolor aptly describes the variety of colours that it can be found in. These are usually in the brown, blue, green & greys forming concentric rings of contrasting colours not unlike the fan tail of a turkey. Hence its common name of Turkey Tail.
The upper surface is soft to touch in young examples becoming smoother and harder with age. Much depends on the location and weather conditions. The underside is off white, but without the familiar gills associated with many fungi. Instead it has numerous small round, occasionally angular spores. This feature puts it in a Genus of fungi called “Polyporus”.
The Turkey Tail is not often eaten being rather tough and tasteless. It won’t kill you, but you would have to be eating it for a bet or very hungry to try it.
It is a bracket fungus and its scientific name of Trametes versicolor aptly describes the variety of colours that it can be found in. These are usually in the brown, blue, green & greys forming concentric rings of contrasting colours not unlike the fan tail of a turkey. Hence its common name of Turkey Tail.
The upper surface is soft to touch in young examples becoming smoother and harder with age. Much depends on the location and weather conditions. The underside is off white, but without the familiar gills associated with many fungi. Instead it has numerous small round, occasionally angular spores. This feature puts it in a Genus of fungi called “Polyporus”.
The Turkey Tail is not often eaten being rather tough and tasteless. It won’t kill you, but you would have to be eating it for a bet or very hungry to try it.