You’ve probably heard of oyster mushrooms, but have you ever foraged for them? You may have heard that it’s easy to confuse them with other mushroom species. This is true, but there are a number of features you can look for to make sure the mushrooms you’re harvesting are true oysters. With that in mind, let’s talk about how to identify wild oyster mushrooms.
What You'll Learn Today
What are Oyster Mushrooms?
Oyster mushrooms are one of the most common and well-known edible mushrooms in the world. They grow in tropical and temperate forests throughout the world and are also one of the most commonly cultivated mushrooms.
Oyster mushrooms come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes, and they may grow both singly and in clusters. The most common colors they come in are gray, tan, brown, and cream colored.
Oyster mushrooms that grow singly get larger than those that grow in clusters; they can grow as much as nine inches tall. Usually, they are much smaller.
As the name suggests, they have oyster-shaped caps that are usually smooth and round. Sometimes they take on a more ruffly appearance.
Oyster mushrooms have white gills and stems, and the gills are soft and well-defined. Like all mushrooms, they absorb a lot of water, but oyster mushrooms tend to be even more absorbent than many other common varieties.
Oyster mushrooms are especially popular in various Asian cuisines, though they are well loved throughout the world. They have a mild, anise-like flavor that is enhanced by cooking, though they can be eaten raw as well.
Oyster mushrooms are highly nutritious and are thought to have some specific health benefits as well. These benefits include reducing oxidative stress, improving heart health and cognitive function, reducing blood sugar, and even limiting cancer risk.
Where Do Oyster Mushrooms Grow?
As mentioned above, oyster mushrooms can be found throughout the world, both cultivated and growing wild in forests. It is a common sight and well known throughout many different regions and cultures.
Wild oyster mushrooms grow in the forests of temperate, subtropical, and tropical forests, and they are usually found in the fall and early winter. They are commonly found growing at the base of trees but may also grow from the ground near trees.
Oyster mushrooms seem to prefer dead or decaying tree stumps, logs, or fallen branches. They may grow from the ground debris of forests or from the roots of dead trees found near the surface.
These mushrooms primarily grow in deciduous forests, though they can be found in mixed forests as well. That said, they rarely grow on or near conifers.
They can be found most commonly growing on deciduous trees such as aspen, beech, birch, linden, oak, and willow. Sometimes they grow on poplar as well, though there is debate whether wild oysters harvested from poplars should be eaten; substances absorbed from the trees can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Do Oyster Mushrooms Have Look-Alikes?
Oyster mushrooms are rather plain looking mushrooms, and there are several different varieties. Because of this, it is very easy to misidentify them or confuse them with other species of mushroom.
There are quite a few harmless species that look like oyster mushrooms. The best way to avoid confusing oyster mushrooms with these species is to know what oyster mushrooms look like; if you’re new to foraging wild mushrooms, double-check with an expert to make sure you have correctly identified your harvest.
Oyster mushrooms also have a few poisonous look-alikes:
- Jack o’lantern: Jack o’lantern mushrooms have smooth, round caps, grow in clusters, and are typically found on or near dead wood. However, they can be distinguished by their striking bright orange coloration; oyster mushrooms don’t turn this color.
- Ghost fungus: This mushroom is typically found in Japan, India, and parts of Australia. It looks similar to oyster mushrooms because of its pale coloring and the way the gills extend down the stem; however, it generally has smaller caps and longer stems than oysters do.
- Ivory funnel: This mushroom tends to have longer, thinner stems than oyster mushrooms do, and the gills do not extend down the stem. However, it is similar in color to oyster mushrooms and the cap has a similar appearance, so it is easy to confuse.
Again, always check with an expert if you are not absolutely sure about the identification of your wild-harvested mushrooms. You can also check out this video to learn more about how oyster mushrooms look so you can avoid mistaking it for one of these poisonous mushrooms.
How To Identify Oyster Mushrooms?
The best way to keep from confusing these tasty mushrooms with their many look-alikes is to know exactly what oyster mushrooms look like. The more familiar you are with the mushrooms you’re hunting, the greater your chances of correctly identifying them.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best identifying features of oyster mushrooms.
- Decurrent gills: Decurrent gills are gills that run all the way down to the base of the stem. If you take a look at the underside of any oyster mushroom, you should notice well-defined gills both under the cap and reaching all the way down the stem.
- Cap shape: The shape of the cap is often described as oyster- or fan-shaped. It is generally smooth and circular, but will be broader on one side than on the other, much like an oyster shell or a fan.
- Growth pattern: Oyster mushrooms most often grow in clusters on dead or diseased tree trunks, and they tend to grow close together and on top of each other. They may have a very flat, layered appearance, or they may be more spread-out and rounded.
- Stem: Some oyster mushrooms have longer stems, particularly in low-sunlight areas; others have short, stubby stems and may even appear to have no stem at all. They will have gills running down the stem and will not end in a bulbous cup or membrane, as many poisonous mushroom species do.
- Spore print: If you’re going to take a spore print of these mushrooms, it’s best to use a dark-colored piece of paper. Oyster mushrooms tend to have a white or lilac-colored spore print which shows up best on a dark background.
- Aroma: Break off a piece of the mushroom in question and smell it. You should be able to notice a mild anise-aroma; slightly sweet-smelling and faintly resembling the scent of licorice.
Conclusion
Oyster mushrooms are widely foraged and cultivated throughout the world, but they do have quite a few look-alikes, including some poisonous ones.
If you’re going to hunt for wild oysters, make sure you are familiar with how they look; if you are just starting out, have a more experienced forager double-check your identification before you eat the mushrooms.
