Turkeytail Mushroom

(Trametes versicolor)

Other Names:
Also known by 2 other botanical names; Coriolus versicolor and Polyporus versicolor. Even though taxonomy has chosen to give this fungi 3 different names, they are all the same mushroom.

Range:


Family:
Polyporaceae - Polypore family

Growth Type:
T. versicolor is typically overlapping. The cap is small. quite thin, leathery, pubescence (hairy) on top alternates in concentric bands with every other band being glabrous (smooth hairless).

Cap:
The cap can grow in a half circle, or be kidney, or even spoon shaped. It grows to be between 1-4 inches wide and 1-2 mm thick. The margin can be flat or wavy and even though the cap is dry and leathery, it still remains quite flexible. The common name turkey tail arises from the fact that the cap has distinct color bands running parallel with the cap margin resemble a wild turkey's tail feathers.

Stem:
T. versicolor is a stalkless fungi.

Gills/Tubes:
The tubes are 1-2mm long.

Pores:
One of the ways in which you can ensure you have a true turkey tail and not an imposter is that the underside of the cap will be white in color. Another way, which requires magnifications, is that there will be 3 or more pores per mm.

Spores:
5-6 x 1.5-2.2µ. Spores are cylindrical to sausage shaped, smooth and colorless

Spore Print:
White.

Height:
Can extend 1-4 inches from the wood.

Miscellaneous characteristics:
There are a few turkey tail look-a-likes. They are all members of the Trametes genera, and none of them are toxic. There are however some things to look for in order to ensure you have the correct specimen. First, is the fact that the cap has distinctly alternately colored rings. The cap also alternates between hairy and smooth. Often, the hairs can only be seen under magnification. The Cap is very thin, leathery, and quite flexible. The underside of the cap will be white in color. The pores on the underside are almost too small to be seen by the naked eye. There will be 3 or more pores per millimeter.

Season:
This fungi grows year round

Habitat:
Usually found in wet areas on stumps and or downed hardwood trunks and limbs.

Parts Used:
Entire fruiting body.

Cautions:
There are multiple look-a-likes, but none have been found to be toxic.

Culinary Uses:
None known

Traditional Medicinal Uses:
This mushroom has a long and storied use throughout the world. It aids in digestion, and supports a healthy gut. It is very good at boosting the immmune system to fight off infections and common illnesses. Multiple peer reviewed clinical trials have shown T. versicolor to be a highly effective cancer treatment Linked study. It has shown to greatly increase survival rates. The mushroom is high in antioxidants, and has been shown to reduce oxidative stress.

Indications

Carcinoma, Leukemia, Lymphoma, Uterine Leiomyomas

Medicinal Actions:
Antimutagenic, Antineoplastic, Antioxidant, Immunostimulant