The Urban Pantheist

Urban species #027: False Turkey Tail.* Stereum hirsutum

Stereum hirsutum is a wood-decomposing fungus that produces orange stalkless mushrooms that emerge directly from the bark of the host tree. When they appear, it's a warning that the tree, or the infected part, is going to fall. It's a very common fungus that can be found anywhere where trees are dying. "True" turkey tail fungus Trametes versicolor, has a similar appearance, but unlike Stereum, is not orange, and doesn't grow as readily during winter.

* The common name "false turkey tail" is more often used when referring to a closely related species Stereum ostrea. The two species are very similar, and can both be mistaken for turkey tail fungus, but S. hirsutum is the only one I have found in the city, and seems to be more common in general, at least in my region.

( more pictures )