Turkey Tail
Trametes versicolor
Also called: Turkey Tail, Cloud Mushroom, Yun Zhi, Many-Zoned Polypore
Overview
Cosmopolitan polypore on dead hardwood. Tough — sometimes simmered as tea. Must have white pore surface and concentric color zones.
Edibility
Tea / extract only
Rarity
common
Trophic mode
saprotrophic
Typical peak
Sep–Nov
Season
Apr–Dec (persists through winter) — typical fruiting months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov.
Host trees & substrate
- Dead hardwood logs and stumps
Where it grows
See live fruiting predictions for Turkey Tail on the forecast home page, or browse the full field guide.
Always confirm wild-mushroom identification with multiple sources and a knowledgeable local expert before consuming. Read the foraging safety guide.