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False Turkey Tail (Stereum hirsutum) is a very common, inedible bracket fungus. It is found on dead wood, especially deciduous trees, and can be found all year round. It has a hairy upper surface, lacks pores on the underside, and is generally thinner and more flexible than true Turkey Tail.
How to Identify
- Cap
- The 'cap' is a bracket, typically 1-7 cm wide, with a hairy or rough texture. It often has concentric zones of different colors, usually cream, ochre, and brown.
- Gills
- Absent. The underside is smooth or slightly bumpy, lacking pores or gills.
- Stem
- Absent. This is a bracket fungus that attaches directly to the wood.
- Flesh
- Thin and tough.
- Fruiting body
- Resupinate to bracket-like, often growing in tiers.
- Habitat
- Grows on dead wood, especially deciduous trees.
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Hairy, rough
- Growth Form: Bracket-like
- Spore Print: White to pale yellow
- Body color: Cream, ochre, brown
- Odor: Not distinctive
- Flesh bruises: No bruising reaction
- Height: Less than 1 cm thick
- Cap Diameter: 1-7 cm
- Nutrient gathering: Saprophytic
Safe
SafeNot considered toxic, but inedible due to its tough texture.
Quick Check
- Odor: Not distinctive
- Fruiting: Year-round
- Substrate: Dead deciduous wood
Where to Find
Deciduous Forests
Found on dead wood, particularly deciduous trees.
Woodland Areas
Can be found on fallen branches and logs.
Finding Tips
Check Undersides
Look for it on the underside of fallen branches.
Inspect Dead Wood
Search for it on various types of dead wood.
Similar Species
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
Bracket fungus
Also known as: Turkey Tail
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Russulales
- Family
- Stereaceae
- Genus
- Stereum
Storage Information
- Max Temperature: N/A
- Freezing duration: N/A
- Min Temperature: N/A
- Refrigeration: N/A
How to Clean
Not applicable as it is inedible.
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