Group of Fungi: Crust Fungi

Family: Stereaceae

Latin Name: Stereum ostrea (Blume & T. Nees) Fr.

Common Name: False Turkey Tail

Description: Shell-shaped to petal-shaped structure, often forming overlapping clusters; cap 1–3 in (2.5–7.5 cm) wide and up to 1/8 in (3 mm) thick, upper surface densely hairy and with concentric bands of various shades of reddish brown, orange, gray or yellow, leathery texture; margin of cap often white; spore-bearing surface buff to cinnamon-buff, smooth with no evidence of pores present; stalk lacking; spores white in mass.

Biological Role: Decomposer of wood.

Habitat: On dead branches, fallen logs and stumps of broadleaf trees.

Geographical Distribution: Widely distributed throughout North America and often exceedingly common.

Comments: This species is often confused with Trametes versicolor, but the spore-bearing surface of the latter has numerous small pores present. In Stereum ostrea, the spore-bearing surface is smooth.