Oyster Mushroom: Pleurotus ostreatus

The Oyster mushroom, or Pleurotus ostreatus, is an extremely common edible mushroom and is often grown in growing kits by enthusiasts. It has been cultivated in Asia for centuries and is still used today for good.  Another common use of the oyster mushroom is for industrial mycroremediation.

Identification of the Oyster Mushroom

• Cap: 5-25 cm broad, fan or oyster-shaped; Natural specimens
  range from white to gray or tan to dark-brown; margin inrolled when
  young, smooth and often somewhat lobed or wavy. Flesh white, firm,
  varies in thickness due to stipe arrangement.
• Gills: Gills are white to cream, descend stalk if present. If so, stipe off-center with lateral attachment to wood.
• Spores: The spores form a white to lilac-gray print on dark media.
• Stipe: Often absent. When present it is short and thick.
• Taste: Mild
• Odor: Often has a mild scent of anise.

Toxic Look-alikes

The only look-alike is Omphalotus nidiformis which grows in Australia and Japan.

Links to More Oyster Mushroom Info

• Mykoweb Site
• The Mushroom Expert
• Description of Growing Blue Oyster Mushrooms
• Buy a Kit - MushroomAdventures.com

Video Timelapses of Oyster Mushrooms