Figure 1,2: T. versicolor cap and pore surface

Name: Trametes versicolor

Common name: Turkey tail

Family: Polyporaceae

Collection Date: 15 October 2016

Habitat: Grows on dead, deciduous wood, in wounds of living hardwood trees, and on conifers

Location: James H. Barrow field station on decaying wood

Description: The top cap shows concentric circles of varying colors and the flesh has a leathery texture. Grows in tiled layers. Pore surface is whitish to light brown with round pores.


Key Used: 
Arora, D. 1986. Mushrooms Demystified
Keying Steps:

Introduction key pg. 52

Basidiomycetes …Polypores and Bracket Fungi pg. 549

1. Spore-bearing surface not composed of tubes… 2

2. Fruiting body knoblike, hooflike, bracketlike, shelflike; stalk absent… 4

4. Poor surface exposed… 5

5. Pore surface not separable and elastic/gelatinous… 6

6. Fruiting body normally with a cap ... 7

7. Spore bearing surface with deep elongated mazelike pockets or even gills or teeth… 10

10. Not with above features; very common… 11

11. Fruiting body usually annual… 12

12. Flesh red to oragn, rusty-brown, tawny … Phaelous, Inonotus, Coltricia, & Allies, pg. 566

1. Fruiting growing shelflike… 5

5.  Pores small … Trametes and Allies, pg. 592

1. Pore surface not bright saffron to orange red … 2

2. Fertile surface not rosy… 4

4. Fruiting body not fleshy… 5

5. Pores may be brown or grayish…6

6. Cap not hairy … 9

9. Pore surface may become beige or grayish with age… 10

10. Cap velvety … 11

11. Cap usually zoned … 12

12.  Cap surface velvety alternating with silky smooth zones… Trametes versicolor.