Turkey Tail
Trametes versicolor
A common, colourful bracket mushroom studied for its compounds. It is grown for teas and extracts rather than eaten.
Growing requirements at a glance
- Scientific name
- Trametes versicolor
- Difficulty
- Beginner to intermediate
- Colonisation temp
- 20 to 27°C
- Fruiting temp
- 18 to 24°C
- Substrate
- Supplemented hardwood sawdust
- Uses
- Tea and extracts
Overview
Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) is a thin, banded bracket mushroom named for its fan of concentric colours. It is one of the most studied functional mushrooms and grows well on hardwood.
Growing conditions
Colonise supplemented hardwood sawdust at 20 to 27°C, then fruit at about 18 to 24°C with high humidity and fresh air. It forms flat, layered brackets rather than a single cap, and it is forgiving to grow.
Uses
Turkey tail is too tough to eat, so it is brewed as a tea or taken as an extract. It is studied for compounds called PSK and PSP that are used in some countries as part of immune support research. It is a supplement, not a medicine, and should only be used from a trusted, correctly identified source.
Grower tips
It grows readily on wood and is a good project for practising fruiting on blocks. Dry the brackets fully before storing for tea.
