CMP Review 2023-02-18

February 18, 2023

Came across these beauties entirely covering a log on a hike yesterday. Since we were out for exercise, I slowed down just long enough to snap a pic, but didn’t gain a 100% ID.

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) can be used medicinally in teas and tinctures, but it has a few lookalikes. Some keys in their identification are 1) Look at the underside. It should be white and full of tiny pores just visible with the naked eye. 2) The tops should be slightly velvety. 3) The color zones should be highly contrasting.

Turkey Tail grows around the world and often near to False Turkey Tail (Stereum ostrae). This lookalike isn’t known to be toxic, and is easy to differentiate since its underside is completely smooth—making for a nice study in plant identification when you’re out on a nature walk!

Always remember, safety first when identifying fungi.

@rbaburina