Coriolus, Trametes Versicolor or Turkey Tail?

Trametes versicolor is the currently accepted scientific name.

Coriolus versicolor is an older scientific name that was widely used in research, especially studies from the 1970s through the early 2000s.

So if you're reading PSK or PSP research, you'll often see Coriolus versicolor, even though modern mycologists now classify the mushroom as Trametes versicolor.

Why did the name change?

As scientists learned more about fungi, they realised that some mushrooms had been placed in the wrong genus.

Originally, the mushroom was classified as Coriolus versicolor.

Later taxonomic work, based first on morphology and then supported by DNA analysis, showed it belonged more appropriately in the genus Trametes.

The accepted scientific name therefore became Trametes versicolor.

The species name versicolor remained the same. Only the genus changed.

Why do many supplement companies still use Coriolus?

There are several reasons.

Historical Research

Nearly all of the landmark PSK studies from Japan and PSP studies from China referred to the mushroom as Coriolus versicolor.

Companies often continue using that name because it matches the terminology used throughout the published scientific literature.

Although "Turkey Tail" has become the popular consumer name, particularly in North America, the scientific literature that established the reputation of PSK and PSP overwhelmingly refers to the mushroom as Coriolus versicolor (now Trametes versicolor). Throughout this website we use the accepted scientific name while acknowledging the common name familiar to many readers.

Consumer Recognition

The name Coriolus versicolor became well known in complementary medicine long before the taxonomic revision.

Many practitioners and researchers still recognise it more readily than Trametes versicolor.

Marketing Consistency

Changing labels can confuse customers who have used products for many years.

For this reason, some manufacturers use both names together, for example:

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor, formerly Coriolus versicolor)

Are They Different?

No. All of the following names refer to exactly the same mushroom species:

• Turkey Tail
• Trametes versicolor
• Coriolus versicolor

They are simply different names used at different times, with Trametes versicolor now being the internationally accepted scientific name.