What is False Turkey Tail?
False turkey tail most commonly refers to the fungi species Stereum ostrea and Stereum hirsutum. These mushrooms are saprobic, meaning they grow on dead and decaying wood, particularly on hardwood logs and stumps. They are incredibly common and can be found year-round in many parts of the world, often growing in layered, overlapping clusters that resemble the tail feathers of a wild turkey. While the top surface features concentric rings of various colors, such as orange, brown, and reddish hues, a key identifying feature is its smooth, non-pored underside, which distinguishes it from the true turkey tail, Trametes versicolor.
The Inedible Truth: Why You Shouldn't Eat It
Despite its striking appearance, the false turkey tail is not considered an edible mushroom for humans. The reason is straightforward: it is too tough and woody to be consumed. Even if cooked for an extended period, its leathery texture does not soften enough to be palatable or digestible, offering no culinary value whatsoever. While consuming it won't lead to serious poisoning, it is a fruitless and unpleasant endeavor. The simple rule is to leave it alone when foraging for food.
False vs. True Turkey Tail: A Critical Comparison
Misidentification is a major risk in foraging, and separating false turkey tail from true turkey tail is a fundamental skill. The table below highlights the most important distinctions.
| Feature | False Turkey Tail (Stereum ostrea / hirsutum) | True Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) |
|---|---|---|
| Underside | Smooth, often yellowish or beige, with no visible pores. | White to tan with very small, visible pores, typically 3-8 per millimeter. |
| Top Surface | Concentric zones of orange, reddish-brown, and sometimes green due to algae. | Concentric zones with a wider range of colors, including brown, gray, blue, and purple. |
| Texture (Top) | Often hairy or velvety, becoming smoother with age. | Has alternating bands of velvety hairs and smooth texture. |
| Thickness | Tends to be thicker and more shell-like. | Thinner and more flexible when fresh. |
| Edibility | Inedible due to tough, woody texture. | Considered woody and inedible, but used medicinally (most commonly as a tea or supplement). |
| Bruising | Fresh specimens may stain yellow when scratched or bruised. | Does not exhibit this staining reaction. |
Other Lookalikes to Note
Foragers should be aware of other species that bear a resemblance to the turkey tail complex. The multicolor gill polypore, Lenzites betulina, also grows in shelves but has distinct gill-like structures on its underside, making it easily distinguishable. Though it has a similar fan shape and color zoning, its underside is a dead giveaway that it is neither true nor false turkey tail.
The Importance of Correct Identification
As with any foraging, correct identification is paramount. While accidentally ingesting false turkey tail is unlikely to cause serious harm, relying on guesswork can have dangerous consequences with other mushroom species. For this reason, it is crucial to use multiple identification features, not just a single one. This practice prevents a mistake that could lead to consuming a genuinely poisonous fungus. For those interested in medicinal mushrooms, the inability to distinguish false from true turkey tail means they will not gain any of the therapeutic benefits associated with Trametes versicolor, which is prized for its polysaccharopeptide content.
Underside Examination: The Easiest Tell
The single most reliable and straightforward method for telling true and false turkey tail apart is to examine the mushroom's underside. Simply flip a specimen over. If you see a smooth, featureless surface, it is false turkey tail (Stereum). If you see a white surface covered with countless tiny pores, it is the true turkey tail (Trametes). This distinction is so clear that it serves as an excellent starting point for any novice forager.
Other Identification Clues
- Cap Coloration: Observe the concentric rings on the cap. True turkey tail often displays a wider array of colors, including shades of blue, gray, and purple, while false turkey tail is more dominated by oranges, browns, and reds.
- Texture of Cap: Run your thumb over the top surface. True turkey tail has a velvety texture with distinct fuzzy and smooth zones. False turkey tail can be hairy when young but often smooths out with age.
- Growth Habit: Note the shape. False turkey tail often has a more pronounced upward curve, like a shell, while true turkey tail tends to grow flatter.
Beyond Edibility: Medicinal Properties
Interestingly, while not a food, false turkey tail is not without properties of interest. Research has shown that extracts from false turkey tail (Stereum ostrea) possess antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, these studies do not suggest that the mushroom should be consumed, as the compounds are extracted in a laboratory setting for potential future applications. This is not a reason for foragers to harvest it, and it does not compare to the well-researched medicinal benefits of true turkey tail.
Conclusion
In summary, the question of whether is false turkey tail edible to eat is easily answered: no, it is not. The mushroom's tough, woody nature makes it inedible, even though it is not poisonous. Foragers must learn the critical difference—the smooth underside versus the porous underside—to avoid confusion with the medicinally valuable true turkey tail, Trametes versicolor. Always practice caution and proper identification techniques when harvesting wild mushrooms to ensure safety and avoid unpleasant surprises in the kitchen. For more information on mushroom identification, consult reputable resources like the Missouri Department of Conservation field guide for false turkey tail.
