Species: Turkeytail (Trametes versicolor)
Family: Bracket Fungi (POLYPORACEAE)
Category: Fungi
Location: NE
A. Fungi
More extensive information on fungi can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Bracket Fungi (POLYPORACEAE)
Bracket fungi (also called shelf fungi) appear on tree trunks (living or dead) to produce woody, bracket-shaped fruiting bodies.
The majority of this family of fungi have a specific preference for either deciduous or coniferous trees, with many individuals preferring just an individual species of tree. Some that grow on live trees can grow to quite dramatic life spans, some even more than 80 years. Maximum growth is usually during the autumn.
C. Turkeytail (Trametes versicolor)
Turkeytail fungi is found throughout the world. (It has an alternate Latin name of Coriolos versicolor.) It's a colourful bracket fungus that appears to be made of concentric circles of banded colour, growing in tiered clumps. These tough brackets have a leathery feel. Colours range from brown to yellow, purple to green. Their outer margins are always pale or white.
In Japan, this mushroom has been approved for treating cancers and immune deficiencies. In China, preparations of this fungus have been used for over 2,000 years as an enhancer of good health and promoter of longevity.
Images
Turkeytail (Trametes versicolor)
Turkeytail is a colourful bracket fungus that appears to be made of concentric circles of banded colour, growing in tiered clumps.
Turkeytail (Trametes versicolor)
The tough brackets of Turkeytail fungi have a leathery feel. Colours range from brown to yellow, purple to green. Their outer margins are always pale or white.
(Photo credit: Clare Blencowe.)
