Turkey tails and false turkey tails (Stereum ostrea) are two similar looking fungi that grow on the surfaces of downed trees or dead branches and trees. Many times they are a basic plain brownish color above with a somewhat lighter, more brownish yellow color on the underside. None of them is very colorful under ordinary circumstances, but once in a while you get one that is a really nice color. Both types of fungi tend to grow in groups on the outsides of dead or severely diseased live oak trees. This group of false turkey tails were growing off the side of a downed pine tree, probably from our last hurricane, in Gothe State Forest. They have a nice bluish tint to the center of the undersides. This group was more vibrant in color than most I have seen before. As you can see from image, the rings around the center have the deepest color. Even when they aren’t brilliantly colored, these fungi seem to be very pretty to me. Between the beautiful rings and textures, the variety of colors these fungi can have, and the many shapes they have, no two look exactly alike. When you get a large group like this all of these facets easily stand out.