False Turkey Tail: Edible or Not?

Trametes versicolor, popularly known as turkey tail, is a medicinal mushroom that grows all over the world. It is highly sought-after and studied for its immunomodulatory qualities. You might assume that this amazing fungus is simple to find in the wild given its vibrant, feather-like resemblance to a turkey, but that isn’t quite the case. On the contrary, there are many turkey tail look-alikes that can fool mushroom newbies and maestros alike. One of them is stereum ostrea—or false turkey tail.

The fascinating health benefits of turkey tail mushrooms, their brief history, and the distinctions between turkey tail and false turkey tail, and why having Om Mushroom Superfood® on your side means you won’t have to worry about making the wrong decision

The False Turkey Tail, also known as Stereum ostrea, is a common mushroom often mistaken for its edible counterpart, the Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor). While both share similar appearances, the False Turkey Tail is not edible due to its tough, leathery texture

Identifying False Turkey Tail

Here’s how to distinguish False Turkey Tail from the edible Turkey Tail:

False Turkey Tail (Stereum ostrea):

Color: Vibrant red or brown, sometimes with a subtle orange hue.
Shape: Rounded with a slightly upward curvature. Reaches widths of 5-7 cm, making it significantly larger than true turkey tail.
Detail: Smooth, parchment-like underside lacking pores.

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor):

Color: Distinct colors with shades of brown, gray, orange, and green ascending from the cap. Has a white detail on the outer rim, resembling that of a turkey’s tail.
Shape: Rounded with a flat shape. Thin and flexible if fresh and less flexible when dried. Turkey tail will be 2-4 cm across and 1-3 cm in length.
Detail: When turned over, true turkey tail will have small visible pores (potentially so small they may require you to squint to see them). Fresh turkey tail will have white pores, and dried will have yellow. Turkey tail may also have fine hairs.

Is False Turkey Tail Poisonous?

While not edible, the False Turkey Tail is not poisonous. However, its tough texture makes it unsuitable for human consumption. Some studies have reported that extracts from False Turkey Tail have antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Opt for Safe and Certified Turkey Tail Supplements

If you’re looking to experience the health benefits of Turkey Tail, it’s best to choose certified organic mushroom supplements grown in controlled environments. This ensures you’re getting a safe and potent product free from environmental toxins, bugs, and pesticides.

Om Mushroom Superfood® offers high-quality Turkey Tail Organic Mushroom Powder and Turkey Tail Mushroom Capsules. These products are easy to incorporate into your daily routine and provide a convenient way to reap the immune-boosting benefits of Turkey Tail.

Remember: Never consume wild mushrooms unless you are 100% confident in their identification. Opt for safe and certified supplements from reputable sources to ensure you’re getting the most out of this powerful medicinal mushroom.

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Turkey Tail Mushrooms: A Quick Overview

Turkey tail is recognized as a healing mushroom for its longevity and health-related effects. ‡ Its use dates back centuries when Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners brewed turkey tail mushrooms into soothing teas.

Today, turkey tail is used as a popular wellness supplement. Furthermore, although a lot of these products are made from mushrooms that are grown indoors safely, some mushrooms, like turkey tail, can be picked straight from the wild.

Turkey tail grows in many places, including North America, Europe, and Asia. Its rounded exterior and many colors make it easy to spot on a fallen tree or log. But turkey tail is not the only mushroom of its kind. It might even be difficult to distinguish it from other species if you find them growing in the same area.

Before comparing turkey tail vs. false turkey tail, its important to explore the benefits of the former. Turkey tail’s many immune-supportive properties are due to the polysaccharides that occur naturally within its cell walls. These naturally occurring polysaccharides interact with both our innate and adaptive immune systems to support a healthy immune system. They are referred to as immune response modulators.

Additionally, the antioxidants, beta glucans, and bioactive compounds contribute to the immune-supporting properties of this powerhouse mushroom. Furthermore, since the gut houses 80% of our immune system, regularly consuming turkey tail can also support gut health. ‡.

is false turkey tail edible

The other supportive benefits of turkey tail include:

Weight management‡
Blood sugar level support‡
Support of liver function and normal detoxification processes

Turkey tail is a popular mushroom among mycophiles, or people who enjoy gathering wild mushrooms, due to its many benefits.

How to Identify Turkey Tail Mushrooms ( and distinguish from false lookalikes )

FAQ

Are false turkey tails poisonous?

If you’ve found a false turkey tail mushroom by mistake, there’s no need to panic: None of the turkey tail lookalikes are poisonous. The tough texture of the false turkey tail makes it unsuitable for human consumption.

Are there any poisonous turkey tail look alikes?

Fortunately, there are no toxic look-alikes of turkey tail mushrooms, which generally makes them a “safe” mushroom to forage for. Similar mushrooms, however, lack the health-supporting compounds that these functional mushrooms are known and valued for.

Are turkey tails edible?

Though turkey tail is edible, the texture can be described as tough and leathery. For this reason, wild-harvested turkey tail is usually dried, ground into a powder, and consumed as tea. It can also be added to soups or blended into smoothies.