FRIENDS

   OF

   THE

   NATURE

   CENTER

      Fall Issue 2005

      A Quarterly Publication

Species Profile

Trametes versicolor – Turkey Tail

Turkey Tail is a scaly, colorful and non-edible bracket type fungus which can be found much of the year in Michigan’s hardwood forests. Each bracket is usually 1.25 to 4 inches across and 1.25 to 2 inches wide. The brackets are scaly, leathery and form large overlapping tiered groups which are colorfully banded and resemble the appearance of a wild turkey’s tail. The variable concentrically colored bands cover a range of colors including black-green, gray-brown, gray-blue, or rust with white to cream colored margins. The underside has small circular to irregular shaped pores and is light in color. A stem is usually very short to none at all. Turkey Tail can be found growing on decaying logs or stumps as well as in wounds of living hardwood trees. They are very common in our area and may persist through the entire year.
Fall is a good time to look for many colorful and interesting fungi in the woods. Remember that many are poisonous, so only eat those that you are absolutely positive of the identification and edibility of.

Calendar of Events

Fall Nature Hike
Sunday, October 23, 2:00 PM

Come walk the trails looking for any signs of fall color, some late season wildflowers, birds and any other natural features of interest we can find. This can be a very enjoyable time of year in the woods and fields as the trees are loosing their colored leaves, and the grasses of the prairie take on reddish colors for winter and asters are still blooming.

Late Fall Nature Walk
Sunday, November 13, 2:00 PM

Walk the trails of the Nature Center looking for signs of plants and animals preparing for the coming winter.

All walks at the Hudsonville Nature Center are led by City naturalist, Craig Elston and begin at the end of New Holland St. east of 32nd Avenue. Come prepared for weather and other elements, as walks will be held except in the case of severe weather.