Oyster Mushroom

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Oyster Mushroom is a large, fleshy, bracket (shelf-like) fungus. It is usually saprobic, on decaying stumps and logs, but is sometimes parasitic, on the sides of injured trees.

This mushroom is found usually on hardwoods, especially elm, cottonwood, alder, and oak. It is rarely found on conifers. It usually appears as overlapping shelves on a log or stump, sometimes on a live tree. It enters the tree through a wound and infects the wood causing white rot. It first appears in the fall after a heavy rain.

There is usually no stalk unless it is growing on top of a log. If there is a stalk, it is short, ¼″ to 1½″ long, thick, and off-center or even laterally attached. If growing on top of a log the stalk may be centrally attached.

The cap is oyster-shaped or fan-shaped and 1½″ to 8″ in diameter. When young it is convex and the margin is rolled inward. As it matures it becomes flat or occasionally funnel shaped. The upper surface is smooth and variable in color; white to gray, grayish-brown, or tan, sometimes dark brown. When wet it is somewhat slippery or greasy but not slimy or sticky. The margins are often wavy or lobed. The flesh is thick, white, and firm but soft. It is edible and has a mild odor and taste.

There is no universal veil.

The gills are broad, close to well-spaced, and run down the stalk if there is one (decurrent). They are white or tinged gray, becoming tinged yellow on older specimens.

The spore print is whitish, pale lilac, or gray.

Hardwoods, especially elm, cottonwood, alder, and oak. Usually on a stump or log.

Fall through early spring

Sources

4, 7, 24, 26, 29, 30, 77.

Common and widespread

The genus Pleurotus was formerly placed in the family Tricholomataceae. Molecular phylogenetic analysis resulted in several new families, including Pleurotaceae, being separated from Tricholomataceae by 2006.

It's growing in my backyard on a berm that is probably has construction materials and tree remnants under the sod from when the house was built in 1997. If someone would like to "harvest" it, contact me at vjthomas66@gmail.com.

what is this?

It is growing out of a dead elm or oak. Looks like an oyster.

Location:  West Becker County

Difficult to identify the old dead tree.  It is loaded with them

Location: Mower County, SE Minnesota on Iowa border

Found 4.21.22 on a deadfall old elm tree that had been dead for many years. Last summer July 2021 I found my first oysters on this tree that had 8” caps. The elm had produced several oysters from mid summer to late fall 2021, until it fell from a strong wind in late November.

Location: Martin County, Fairmont, MN

Location: Burnsville MN

It's growing in my backyard on a berm that is probably has construction materials and tree remnants under the sod from when the house was built in 1997. If someone would like to "harvest" it, contact me at vjthomas66@gmail.com.

Location: Coon Rapids MN

what is this?

Location: Spring Lake Park Reserve

Location: Albany MN

It is growing out of a dead elm or oak. Looks like an oyster.