{"id":12643,"date":"2023-02-06T18:00:26","date_gmt":"2023-02-06T23:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=12643"},"modified":"2023-02-20T17:49:30","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T22:49:30","slug":"mushrooms-that-look-like-oyster-mushrooms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/mushrooms-that-look-like-oyster-mushrooms\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Mushrooms That Look Like Oyster Mushrooms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Oyster mushrooms are some of the most widespread and well-known edible mushrooms in the world. If you\u2019re hoping to collect some of these tasty mushrooms in the wild, however, be aware. There are several types of mushrooms that look like oyster mushrooms, and some of them are poisonous. Read on to learn more about some of the oyster mushroom\u2019s<\/a> most common look-alikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mushrooms That Look Like Oyster Mushrooms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Jack O\u2019Lantern<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"jack<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Jack o\u2019lantern mushrooms can be found<\/a> in North America, Europe, and parts of Africa. There are three different varieties of these mushrooms, but they are all fairly similar in appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jack o\u2019lanterns share several features with oyster mushrooms.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, both types of mushrooms tend to grow from dead and decaying plant matter, especially wood. They are both commonly found on dead or dying trees, stumps, and fallen logs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both mushrooms grow in layered clusters and have rounded, flattened or funnel-shaped caps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even their gills are similar. Both oysters and jack o\u2019lanterns have decurrent gills, meaning the gills run all the way down the stem. The gills of both mushrooms are large and fleshy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite these similarities, there are a couple of big differences between oysters and jack o\u2019lanterns.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest difference is the bright orange color of jack o\u2019lanterns. Oyster mushrooms can come in a variety of colors, but orange is not one of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, jack o\u2019lanterns are bioluminescent, meaning their gills can glow in the dark. Oyster mushrooms don\u2019t have this ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, jack o\u2019lanterns are poisonous, as they can cause some nasty digestive symptoms if you eat them. You don\u2019t want to confuse them with oyster mushrooms, which are edible and quite tasty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Ivory Funnel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ivory funnels are poisonous mushrooms found in Europe and North America.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These pretty white mushrooms tend to grow in small clusters. They look very similar to elm oyster mushrooms, which are not true oysters but are often mistaken for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ivory funnels have several key differences from true oysters.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite their tendency to grow in clusters, they rarely layer or overlap, and they don\u2019t appear to grow from the same stem base. They are single mushrooms that simply tend to grow in close proximity to each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ivory funnels are usually found in open, grassy areas growing directly from the ground. Oyster mushrooms, on the other hand, tend to grow in wooded areas from dead and decaying plant matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ivory funnels typically have longer, thinner stems than true oyster mushrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, ivory funnels do not have decurrent gills; the gills can be found on the underside of the cap, but they do not continue down the length of the stem.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite all of the differences, you should still be aware of these mushrooms when foraging for oysters. They tend to be white or buff-colored, which is very similar with the color of most oyster mushrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Ghost Fungus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghost fungus mushrooms are found primarily in Australia, though they have also been identified in parts of Asia as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These mushrooms look very similar to oysters: they have the flattened, funnel-shaped caps, grow in clusters from decaying plant matter, and have gills running all the way down their stems. They are white to beige in color, which further gives them the appearance of oysters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These mushrooms are poisonous, so you want to make sure you don\u2019t accidentally gather some up while you\u2019re foraging for oysters.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live in an area where both oysters and ghost fungus grow, the best way to tell the difference between them is to inspect them under the cover of darkness. Ghost fungus mushrooms are bioluminescent, while oysters are not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out this video to learn more about these fascinating mushrooms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5tTWBt00vVU<\/a>