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Physical Characteristics

This fungus looks like a wild turkey's tail, which gives it its name.  It comes in many different colors, for example, red, orange, green, brown, purple and blue.  The turkey tail grows to about 4" wide.  It is a wavy fungus, shaped in a semi-circle, and can overlap each other. 

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Habitat

The turkey tail grows mostly on dead logs and trees.  It can also grow on sick or dying trees.  It grows in shady, wooded places in many parts of the world, including North America and Asia.  The turkey tail grows from May through December and lives for many years.  It is a very common fungus.  The turkey tail reproduces by its spores dropping off and blowing in the wind.  When they fall onto other dead logs, they begin to grow. The turkey tail uses the nutrients in the dead logs which, in turn, helps the trees to decompose. 

Edibility

The turkey tail can be eaten, but is very leathery and tough, so it should be processed first, for example, ground  up to use in a tea or a as a health supplement.

Medicinal Uses

The turkey tail is used to strengthen the immunity and to treat different types of cancer, including breast cancer and prostate cancer during chemotherapy. 

Other Uses

Because the fungus is very leathery and tough, it is sometimes used as chewing gum. 

Interesting Facts

Caterpillars, maggots and gnats feed off of the turkey tail. Many things do not eat it because of its texture.  Most of the fungus is found within the bark of the dead or dying tree. 

Did you know the Purple Needle Grass doesn't need pedals because it doesn't need bees to pollinate it. 

Did you know Wooducks can fly up to 55 miles per hour.

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