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oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Pleurotus ostreatus grows on hardwood roof tiles and has shell-shaped, grey to blue-gray caps with declining gills. Wild it fruits mainly after frost, as a farmed mushroom it is available throughout the year.
Scientific name: Pleurotus ostreatus
Features
The cap is 5 to 20 cm wide, shell-shaped to tongue-shaped, grey, brown-gray to blue-black, smooth. The gills are white to grey-white and run far down the stem. The stem is short, lateral, shaggy haired at the base or almost completely missing. Ring and volva are missing. It smells pleasantly mushroomy and tastes mild. The flesh is white, firm to tough and does not discolour. White to pale lilagrau
Habitat
Deciduous wood, especially European beech, less often coniferous wood.. Logs, stumps and thick branches.. From the lowlands to the mountains.
Season
October to March Wild especially after frost in late autumn and winter, feral breeding forms throughout the year.
Weather and fruiting
Shelf fungi on wood; flushes after frost and thaw. Rule out toxic wood-dwellers.
Lookalike risk
Angel wing: It is pure white, thin flesh and grows in coniferous wood; in Japan it was linked to fatal poisoning in 2004. Olive oysterling: It has an olive-green cap, yellowish gills and a yellow stem. Indian oyster mushroom: It is lighter, without blues, thinner and appears without frost.
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FAQ
What does the map show?
Weather-based foraging chances, not a guarantee that fruit bodies stand at the pin.
Can I eat this mushroom?
No page replaces identification. If unsure, leave it or ask an expert.
Oyster mushroom: is it edible?
Yes, it is an edible mushroom. Wild finds of coniferous wood and pure white, thin sidelings do not collect.
Oyster mushroom: when and where does it grow?
In central Europe the season runs October to March. Wild especially after frost in late autumn and winter, feral breeding forms throughout the year. Habitat: Deciduous wood, especially European beech, less often coniferous wood.
Oyster mushroom: what are the lookalikes?
The most important distinction is from Angel wing (Pleurocybella porrigens, poisonous): It is pure white, thin flesh and grows in coniferous wood; in Japan it was linked to fatal poisoning in 2004. Other lookalikes: Olive oysterling, Indian oyster mushroom.
When is a trip worth it?
Shelf fungi on wood; flushes after frost and thaw. Rule out toxic wood-dwellers.