Stereum ostrea is relatively common, but there are so many common Stereum species that look so similar to one another, that it can be very difficult to tell them apart. It features a multi-color zonate cap that is finely hairy, typically shades of reddish brown, to beige and white. The underside of the cap is an off-white to yellowish pale orange and smooth. Unlike actual turkey tail, there are no pores on the underside of this mushroom. It grows in shelf like clusters on fallen logs and other dead wood. It occupies the same habitat and substrate as actual turkey tail, and it looks very similar to turkey tail (hence the name “false” turkey tail), but it differs in a few ways. Again, the underside has no pores. It is smooth and off white to pale orange, or yellowish brown depending on it’s age. It also much thinner than turkey tail. Turkey tail is quite thin also, but false turkey tail is very very thin. Once you handle both of them and see the pores and feel the difference in thickness, they will be much easier to identify for you distinguish from one another. While they can be somewhat colorful, they are not as colorful They will not feature any of the shades of blueish grays like turkey tail often does. False turkey tail caps are usually in the tan/brown color range, perhaps with some greenish tones from the growth of algae, sometimes looking like bright copper with a bright green patina. They can be quite beautiful after a rain storm when they are still wet, but the sun is shining. The most notable look-alike that I am aware of is Stereum lobatum. According to fungikingdom.net when wet, the underside of S. lobatum will turn yellow.
