Where To Find Turkey Tail Mushroom? Time & identification

Turkey tail mushroom, also known as Trametes Versicolor or Coriolus Versicolor, is a type of bracket fungus that grows on dead or dying hardwood trees. It is commonly found in North America, Europe, and Asia.

The mushroom is known for its colorful, fan-shaped caps that resemble the tail of a wild turkey, hence its name. The caps are typically 1-5 inches in diameter and can range in color from shades of brown and gray to blue and purple.

The caps have a tough, leathery texture and are often covered in small, curly fibers. The mushroom’s gills are typically white or pale and are located on the undersides of the caps. Turkey tail mushroom does not have a stem and instead attaches directly to the wood it grows on.

where to find turkey tail mushroom

where to find turkey tail mushrooms?

Turkey tail mushroom typically grows on dead or dying hardwood trees such as oak, maple, and beech. They are also commonly found on dead-standing trees, fallen logs, and stumps.

They can be found in a variety of habitats such as deciduous and coniferous forests, woodlands, and along riverbanks and streams. They are also found in urban areas and can grow on wood chips and logs used in landscaping.

They thrive in moist and humid environments and are often found in areas with high rainfall or high humidity. They can also be found year-round, but are most commonly found in late fall and winter.

Characteristics of Turkey Tail Mushroom

The diameter of the fungus is 3–5 cm, the length is 5–8 cm. It is characterized by a fan-shaped and semicircular shape. This species grows sideways to wood. At the base, several fruiting bodies can grow together; they almost never grow singly. It has a very silky, velvety, and delicate surface, which is alternately replaced by bare and fleecy areas.

The color varies from grayish, and bluish to yellowish and brown. The edges of the cap are usually lighter than the center of the mushroom. The base of this tinder fungus has a greenish tint. After drying becomes white.

The hat is semicircular, with a diameter of no more than 10 cm. By name, you can understand that it has a multi-colored color. Most often, these are sinuous areas of gray, white, dark blue, yellow, brown, black, and silver, with a silky and shiny surface to the touch.

Hymenophore (lower part of the cap) – finely porous, tubular type, light, slightly yellowish in color. Ripe fruit bodies acquire a brownish tint and narrow edges.

The flesh of the multi-colored trametes is thin, light, and leathery. On the cut, the color is white or brown. The smell is peculiar and pleasant.

best time to find turkey tail mushroom

The best time to find turkey tail mushrooms is typically in late fall and winter when the conditions are moist and humid. They can also be found year-round, but are most abundant during these seasons.

When harvesting turkey tail mushrooms, it is important to make sure you have positively identified it as the mushroom can resemble other mushrooms that are poisonous. It is also important to make sure that you are only harvesting from healthy specimens and not those that are decaying or damaged.

best time to find turkey tail mushroom

Tips for identifying and harvesting the mushroom

Here are some tips for identifying and harvesting turkey tail mushrooms:

  1. Look for the mushroom’s distinctive fan-shaped caps that resemble the tail of a wild turkey.
  2. The caps should be firm and not slimy or slimy.
  3. Check the undersides of the caps for white or pale gills.
  4. The mushroom should be growing on dead or dying hardwood trees.
  5. Use a sharp knife to cut the mushroom from the tree, leaving the base of the mushroom attached to the tree.
  6. Be sure to leave enough mushrooms for future growth and for other animals that may depend on them.

Whether turkey tail mushroom is commonly found in the wild or if it is mainly cultivated?

Turkey tail mushroom is commonly found in the wild and can be found in various habitats such as deciduous and coniferous forests, woodlands, and along riverbanks and streams. However, it is not commonly cultivated and therefore may not be widely available in grocery stores or supermarkets.

Where to purchase turkey tail mushroom if it is not easily found in the wild?

If you are unable to find turkey tail mushrooms in the wild, you can purchase them from specialty food stores, health food stores, or online retailers. They are often sold dried or in powdered form and can be used as a dietary supplement or in traditional Chinese medicine. Some companies also sell supplements made from turkey tail mushroom extract. It’s important to check the authenticity and quality of the mushroom before purchasing, as some suppliers might sell fake or low-quality mushrooms.

It’s also possible to grow turkey tail mushrooms on logs if you have access to hardwood logs, spawn, and the right conditions.

Conclusion

When harvesting turkey tail mushrooms, it is important to make sure you have positively identified it, and only harvest from healthy specimens. Turkey tail mushroom is not commonly cultivated, and therefore may not be widely available in grocery stores or supermarkets. If you are unable to find turkey tail mushrooms in the wild, you can purchase them from specialty food stores, health food stores, or online retailers. They are often sold dried or in powdered form and can be used as a dietary supplement or in traditional Chinese medicine.