Turkey-tail :

Trametes versicolor

This fan-shaped fungus, with striking concentric bands of gray, brown, or cream, grows in overlapping shelves on dead hardwood year-round and is celebrated in China and Japan for its medicinal properties.

Appearance

Shelf-like to fan-shaped with wavy or lobed margins up to 10 cm. wide
Upper surface is hairy or hairless with striking concentric bands of gray, brown, or cream
Lower surface has pores, but may require a hand lens to see
Without a stipe (stem)
Grows in rows or overlapping shelves

ID Tips

May be confused with hairy curtain crust (Stereum hirsutum)
- Turkey-tail
  - Usually larger, up to 10 cm. wide
  - Lower surface has pores, but may require a hand lens to see
  - Upper surface with striking concentric bands of gray, brown, or cream
- Hairy curtain crust
  - Usually smaller, 1-3.5 cm. wide
  - Lower surface is smooth
  - Upper surface with concentric bands from orange to gray-brown

At Edgewood

See iNaturalist for observations in Edgewood

About

Basidiomycetes – a major lineage of fungi that usually produce spores within basidia (club-like structures)
Found throughout the year
Saprotrophic – grows mostly on dead hardwood (e.g. oaks)
Edibility (San Mateo County Parks prohibits removal of any natural material)
- Inedible; too tough
- Unless you are an expert, do not pick and consume wild mushrooms

Fun Facts

In China and Japan, turkey-tails are used in traditional medicinal practices, and studies have shown that it can cause cancer-cell death and inhibit cancer-cell growth, plus stimulate the immune system
The Polypore family of fungi (Polyporaceae) are typically saprotrophic
- Identifying the tree they are growing on can help determine the specific species

Learn More

Kuo, M. 2022, Oct. 2. The polypores. MushroomExpert.Com.

Roehl, T. 2017, Jul. 14. #013: Characteristics of division Basidiomycota. Fungus Fact List. Fungus Fact Friday.

Roehl, T. 2017, Jul. 14. #030: Mushroom morphology: Polypores. Fungus Fact List. Fungus Fact Friday.

Roehl, T. 2018, Mar. 2. #065: Trametes versicolor – The turkey tail. Fungus Fact List. Fungus Fact Friday.

References

Desjardin, D.E., M.G. Wood, and F.A. Stevens. 2016. California Mushrooms: The Comprehensive Identification Guide. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon.

Habtemariam, S. 2020, May. Trametes versicolor (synn. Coriolus versicolor) polysaccharides in cancer therapy: Targets and efficacy. Biomedicines 8(5): 135. PubMed Central. United States National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine.

Kuo, M. 2017, Nov. Trametes versicolor. MushroomExpert.Com.

Wood, M., and F. Stevens. 2021. Trametes versicolor. The Fungi of California. MykoWeb.