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Photo By Amanda Schabdach

False turkey-tail

Stereum ostrea

A species of Leaf fungus, Also known as Golden curtain crust

A common woodland fungus found across North America, the false turkey-tail thrives in wet environs and can be found in copious quantities on decaying wood. The species is so-called because it looks similar the also-common Turkey Tail (Tremetes versicolor) - both species grow in thin, roughly semi-circular sheets. False turkey-tails have tough, woody bodies and are considered to be inedible.

Cap Diameter:

1 - 7 cm

Odor:

Faint smell of bitter almonds

General Info About False turkey-tail

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Attributes of False turkey-tail

Cap Diameter

1 - 7 cm

Height

1 - 5 mm

Cap

1 - 7 cm across; fan-shaped, irregularly kidney-shaped; with concentric zones of red, orange, yellowish, brown; smooth

Flesh

Insubstantial; tough

Spore Print Color

White

Odor

Faint smell of bitter almonds

Body Color

Brown

Yellow

Red

Gray

White

Orange

Flesh Bruises

The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.

Growth Form

Scattered, Gregarious

Nutrient Gathering

Saprophytic

Substrate

Dead Woods

You can find False turkey-tail by these plants:

Northern red oak, White oak

Occurence Habitats

Deciduous Woodland

Species Status

Widely distributed in North America.

Endangered Species

How to Identify False turkey-tail

Fruiting Body Cap Undersurface

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Habitat of False turkey-tail

The false turkey-tail fungus can be found only in hardwood forests. It grows on dead stumps and logs of fallen trees.

Distribution Area of False turkey-tail

North America,Africa,Central and South America,Asia,Australia,New Zealand

Scientific Classification of False turkey-tail

Phylum

Club fungi

Class

Mushroom-forming fungi

Order

Russulales

Family

Crusts

Genus

Leaf fungus

Similar Species to False turkey-tail

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Tips for Finding False turkey-tail

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What are Some Tips for Finding False turkey-tail

Inspect dead hardwood trees, especially fallen logs and stumps for signs of false turkey-tail.
Look for false turkey-tail in areas with hardwood presence, particularly where trees have exposed gaps in the bark.
Check the undersides of bark and wood fragments, as false turkey-tail may be found growing beneath them.
Pay attention to discolored or altered textures on hardwood surfaces, which can indicate false turkey-tail's presence.