Oyster Mushrooms

Pleurotus

Oyster mushrooms have the longest growing season and can colonize both conifer and deciduous trees.

Dominicus Johannes Bergsma

Cap

creamy white to dark brown, shell to kidney or fan shaped

Gills

creamy white to pale tan, closely spaced

Stem

if present, off-center and attached directly to dead or dying wood

Spore Print

white, lilac, yellow, or pale brown

Companions

Cottonwood, Alder, Conifers, Birch, Beach Oak, Maple

Seasons

Late Summer through Spring

Oyster Identification Check List:

1. Growing directly on wood

4. Cap is smooth, lacking scales or hair

2. Stem is off-center and has gills running down it

4. Gills are crowded and blade-like

3. Mature mushrooms are palm-sized or bigger

Compare Oysters to Look-Alikes:

Pleurotus populinus

Oyster

Gills: Crowded, smooth

Spores: Light brownish yellow

Favorite Tree: Cottonwoods

Edibility:🍽️

Sarcomyxa serotina

Late Fall Oyster

Gills: Crowded, smooth

Spores: pale yellow

Favorite Trees: Birch, beach oak, maple, willow, alder

Edibility: 🍽️

Panellus stipticus

Bitter Oyster

Gills: Crowded, smooth

Spores: White

Favorite Tree: Oak, birch, alder

Edibility: ⚠️

Phyllotopsis nidulans

Gills: Crowded, smooth

Spores: Pink

Favorite Trees: Well rotted wood

Edibility: ⚠️

Pleurotus ostreatus

Oyster

Gills: Crowded, smooth

Spores: Lilac

Favorite Tree: Alder

Edibility: 🍽️

Pleurocybella porrigens

Angel Wings

Gills: Crowded, smooth

Spores: white

Favorite Tree: Hemlock

Edibility: ⚠️

Cheimonophyllum candidissinmum

Snowy Oysterling

Gills: Widely spaced, smooth

Spores: white

Favorite Tree: Hardwoods

Edibility: ⚠️

Pleurotus pulmonarius

Oyster

Gills: Crowded, smooth

Spores: white, yellowish, or lavender

Favorite Tree: Conifers

Edibility: 🍽️

Pleurotus pulmonarius

Gills: Crowded, smooth

Spores: white

Favorite Tree: Red alder, maple, and hemlock

Edibility: ⚠️

Lentinellus montanus

Gills: Sawtooth edges

Spores: Cream to yellow/brown

Favorite Tree: Conifers

Edibility:⚠️