Bracket fungi are the most difficult to identify for me. I find they all look rather similar and I'm aiming to work on this in the future.
There is one bracket, however, that I never fail to identify - the Turkeytail, or Trametes versicolor.
These are probably one of - if not the - most common bracket fungi. I have found them everywhere: on stumps in front gardens, logs in woodland and wooden posts in town. If there is wood, there is probably Turkeytail.
It has been disputed whether there are multiple species under the name 'Turkeytail', or whether they simply come in an array of colours. I read somewhere that 'true' Turkeytails are slightly hairy to the touch, whereas 'fake' Turkeytails are smooth, however elsewhere I have also read that the texture of Turkeytails depends on their age. Therefore, I'm going to leave the species debate to the mycologists and continue with the assumption that all colours come under the 'Turkeytail' bracket.
Usually growing in large groups on wood throughout the year, Turkeytails have concentric zones of different colours, although the outer zone is always white. Colours include black, green, grey, brown and varying shades of orange. They feel soft and velvety on the top, and the underside is white, showing tiny pores.
There is one bracket, however, that I never fail to identify - the Turkeytail, or Trametes versicolor.
These are probably one of - if not the - most common bracket fungi. I have found them everywhere: on stumps in front gardens, logs in woodland and wooden posts in town. If there is wood, there is probably Turkeytail.
It has been disputed whether there are multiple species under the name 'Turkeytail', or whether they simply come in an array of colours. I read somewhere that 'true' Turkeytails are slightly hairy to the touch, whereas 'fake' Turkeytails are smooth, however elsewhere I have also read that the texture of Turkeytails depends on their age. Therefore, I'm going to leave the species debate to the mycologists and continue with the assumption that all colours come under the 'Turkeytail' bracket.
Usually growing in large groups on wood throughout the year, Turkeytails have concentric zones of different colours, although the outer zone is always white. Colours include black, green, grey, brown and varying shades of orange. They feel soft and velvety on the top, and the underside is white, showing tiny pores.
Characteristics
Habitat: On wood; mostly dead, but also sometimes on living wood
Bracket: Up to 10cm wide. Concentric zones of colours with a white margin. Feels velvety or smooth, depending on age.
Pores: White
Spore print: White
Season: All year
Edibility: Inedible
This is easily the fungus I see most often, and in the months when there isn't much else around, you can always rely on the Turkeytail to show up and give you something to look at!
Disclaimer: I am not an expert. Never eat a mushroom you've found without confirmation that it is edible by an expert.
This is easily the fungus I see most often, and in the months when there isn't much else around, you can always rely on the Turkeytail to show up and give you something to look at!
Disclaimer: I am not an expert. Never eat a mushroom you've found without confirmation that it is edible by an expert.
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