{"id":11138,"date":"2022-05-11T20:36:46","date_gmt":"2022-05-11T20:36:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=11138"},"modified":"2022-09-04T02:56:51","modified_gmt":"2022-09-04T07:56:51","slug":"lobster-mushroom-vs-oyster-mushroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/lobster-mushroom-vs-oyster-mushroom\/","title":{"rendered":"Lobster Mushroom Vs Oyster Mushroom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are many different types of edible mushrooms. Today, we\u2019re going to look at a couple that seem to take their inspiration from the sea. As we compare the lobster mushroom vs. the oyster mushroom, you\u2019ll see that these two mushrooms have some unique characteristics as well as some surprising similarities and differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Lobster Mushroom?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What
Lobster Mushrooms<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lobster mushrooms are not a specific species; instead, they are mushrooms that have been taken over by the parasitic hypomyces lactifluorum<\/em> fungus. This fungus infects lactarius and russula mushrooms, causing them to grow large and lumpy and turn a bright red-orange color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lobster mushrooms grow in parts of North America, particularly the New England area and parts of the northern West Coast. They grow in forested areas, near the base of conifers and some deciduous hardwood trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are nearly impossible to cultivate, so they must be harvested in the wild. Though they are not one of the more common edible mushrooms, they are prized for their hearty texture and crustacean-like flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lobster mushrooms grow during the summer and fall months, usually from July through October. They have no poisonous look alikes, so they are a good foraging choice if you are new to hunting mushrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an Oyster Mushroom?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What
Oyster Mushroom<\/em>s<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The term \u201coyster mushroom<\/a>\u201d applies to over 200 distinct species within the Pleurotus <\/em>family. These mushrooms vary widely in appearance, growing condition, distribution, and other factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, the pink oyster thrives in warm conditions, while the blue oyster prefers much cooler weather. The king oyster looks different when it grows in a high oxygen environment than when it grows in a more carbon-dioxide rich environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One thing that all oyster mushrooms<\/a> have in common is that they are edible; many people claim they taste like oyster meat. Most oyster mushrooms look similar to oysters as well; some are smooth and round like the oysters themselves, while others have a more wavy appearance similar to oyster shells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many oyster mushrooms grow in large, flat, shelf-like or fan-like clusters; the king oyster is a notable exception, as it grows singly and has thick stems. Oyster mushrooms grow almost exclusively on dead and dying hardwood, though many varieties are easy to grow at home using a substrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most oyster mushrooms grow during the spring between March and May. They have few poisonous look alikes, but if you\u2019ve never foraged for them before it would be good to have them properly identified by an experienced mushroom hunter before you eat them.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lobster Mushroom Vs. Oyster Mushroom: Similarities and Differences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re probably thinking that lobster mushrooms and oyster mushrooms don\u2019t have many similarities; and you would be correct. These are two very different mushrooms that are difficult to confuse once you\u2019ve learned some basic information about them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, they do have a few similarities. Let\u2019s take a closer look at those, as well as the differences between these mushrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n