Photo by Adam Haritan of Learn Your Land. Look at the color of the mushroom. Odor not distinctive. âWhen itâs young, it looks like the white button mushroom seen in grocery store produce sections.â It can also be confused with the edible shaggy parasol. Recipe: Roasted Oyster Mushrooms. So if you find a mushroom with all the identifying characteristics above, YOU CAN EAT IT! Oysterlings look similar but never grow more than four centimetres across. The reason why this mushroom is called an oyster mushroom is that its appearance resembles the oyster. And, the multiple health benefits mean they are worth the time learning to identify them. This page tells you how to identify Pleurotus ostreatus, the "true" oyster mushroom. Another similar species is the elm oyster, Hypsizygus ulmarius. Angel wings used to be considered quite rare, but now seem quite common in older conifer plantations, particularly in Argyll and the West Highlands in the autumn (but seldom in the winter, when true oyster mushrooms ⦠I've broken this page into two sections, identification features and look alikes. It's Latin name Hypsi means "high" or "on high" and zygus means a "yoke" Hypsizygus, then, referring to position of this mushroom ⦠*We may earn a commission for purchases made using our links. First and perhaps most dangerous is this imposter, the Jack O’Lantern mushroom. This is in Western Pennsylvania a few days ago. The ghost fungus is poisonous and can be mistaken for an oyster, except that it glows in the dark. White to lilac-gray. Sometimes found on conifers as well. Oyster or fan shaped, usually 2-10 inches across (5-25 cm). Most often found on deciduous hardwoods (trees that lose their leaves). This mushroom causes serious severe gastrointestinal distress, like vomiting, diarrhea, and other nasty stuff. Usually white to light silvery-brown top surface, with white gill and stem. Although not usually difficult to identify, true morels do have poisonous look-alikes. Gills are white and decurrent. The most recent one came in early December from a reader named Tracey. Oyster mushrooms are one of the easiest mushrooms to identify (they are included in my 5 easy to identify edible mushrooms guide).. One important thing to note about oyster mushrooms is that they always grow on wood, either on dead logs or living trees, usually hardwoods but occasionally conifers. Please remember to never eat any mushroom if you're not absolutely sure what it is. Taking a spore print and checking for gill attachment can be a big help. The term "false morel" describes a few species of mushrooms that contain a toxin known as monomethyl hydrazine (MMH). Mushroom Health Guide was developed by a combination of pharmacists with over 15 years experience that have ventured into the realm of natural foods, supplements and lifestyle modifications for the sole benefit of improving our health and placing an effort in preventing disease using this information. Nothing beats an in person identification! Salt. Please use your common sense and be safe! The best part about them is that there are no poisonous look alikes at all! While many mushrooms that fall within this color range are Amanita mushrooms, you cannot identify an Amanita mushroom based on color alone. In the case of oyster mushrooms, the multiple health benefits and their natural good taste make finding them in the forest a real bonus. It has gills that do not run down the stem of the mushroom, like the oyster. The fine distinctions between species are more academic than practical. Pleurotus pulmonarius virtually indistinguishable, also called âOyster mushroomâ 3 Pleurotus populinus, very similar, grows on Populus spp. However, donât go out foraging wild oyster mushroom to avoid tree oyster mushroom, poisonous look-alikes. But they have also been…, If you love mushrooms, you’ve probably considered growing them yourself. The bear Lentinellus (Lentinellus ursinus) is not poisonous, but not tasty, either and looks similar to the oyster. Take a look at the close up to the right. Angels Wings, Pleurocybella porrigens, which can be deadly if you suffer kidney disease. Gills free of stem or very finely attached. This is usually funnel shaped with a split so the funnel is incomplete. Some Amanita mushrooms also stain red if they are broken or bruised.. Our increasing knowledge of the health benefits of mushrooms is an encouragement to add them to our diet, and even forage for them in the wild. The flesh is white, firm, and varies in thickness due to stipe arrangement. But donât fear â there are several types of mushrooms that are perfect for beginner foragers since theyâre unique and easy-to-identify, with few or no poisonous look-alikes. We’re all accustomed…, Mushrooms are well known as a tasty addition to many recipes. Consult a qualified physician or health practictioner for diagnosis and treatment of any condition. Special thanks to Tracey Ann Miller for the pictures! This site is also not to be used as the final word in identification. Mushroom Health Guide is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Distinguishing amongst Hericium species can be difficult ⦠Itâs not just that Gallboys have mixed up their cultures (they do also sell what they call White Elm Oysters â P ulmarius which I have not seen). We've decided to dive deeper into studying their historical beginnings, beneficial clinical studies and current research and decided to share our findings to those interested in a healthier lifestyle. The categories we will be going…. The Mock Oyster was once placed in the genus Pleurotus, the true edible oyster mushrooms, and it is a convincing look-alike. I wonder if these are Pleurotus ulmarius, a name which is sometimes mentioned as synonymous or outdated. Best of all, the wild oyster mushroom has NO toxic look-alikes. They are orange, grow in clusters and have gills that can resemble an oyster. Pepper. Oysters feed on dead material, so if you spot them growing on healthy trees, be wary of the fact you may have found an oyster mushroom lookalike. SP white. To tell an elm oyster from a true oyster, take a look at the gills. The majority of Amanita mushrooms fall into the color range of red, orange, yellow, white, or grey. Please see our disclosure to learn more. Chanterelle Mushrooms. One of the first things you should look for when trying to identify this mushroom is the presence of decurrent gills. Chanterelle mushroom identification for a new mushroom forager would be wise to learn. Knowledge is power! Decurrent means that the gills are attached to and run directly down the stem. If you find any mushroom that’s orange in color, it’s best to avoid it. Let’s look at 4 steps to knowing oyster mushroom lookalikes. It's best to make the spore print on a dark background. The information on this site is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Mushroom Health Guide also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, ShareASale, and other sites. If you’re lucky enough to cultivate them yourself, or find a commercial cultivator, they can be harvested year-round. It grows in Japan and Australia so become familiar with it if you live in those countries. She writes: (adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});Wondering if you could help me. Not in the United States, anyway. Iâve found them in grey, white, dusky pink and tan but the main identifier is that the gills are always white or cream coloured. While itâs sometimes hard to distinguish between species of reishi mushroom, all reishi species are used in the same way. If using the oven method: In fact, sometimes there doesn’t seem to be a stem at all. The flesh is white. Hen-of-the-woods. The poisonous Omphalotus nidiformis is sometimes mistaken for an oyster. (aspen and cottonwood), also called âOyster mushroomâ 3. The flesh of an oyster mushroom is firm and white, and usually light white to brown on top. Beech and aspen trees are common. So are there any poisonous look alikes? 3 Chicken of the Woods Look-Alikes. Become familiar with them through reading and pictures, try to find them in the wild, and check your finds with someone who knows in real life. All Rights Reserved. Completely smooth tops. Decurrent means that the gills are attached to and run directly down the stem. Usually white to light brown with firm, white flesh. The first way to be able to identify oyster mushroom lookalikes is by being able to identify a legitimate oyster mushroom. Only collect mushrooms in the woods if you know what you are doing or if you can show it to an expert! After venturing into natural world of alternative medicine during our combined experience as pharmacists, we found ourselves intrigued by the vast benefits of medicinal mushrooms. The gills are white, and are attached to and running down the cap and stem (decurrent). Find a mushroom with all the identifying characteristics above, you can not identify an Amanita based... Size ( 2 to 10 inches across. spore print on a dark background mushrooms have no poisonous look at. Split and set upright to dry out are all just as edible as a tasty addition to many recipes,... Mushroom if you find a commercial cultivator, they can be harvested year-round white flesh in..Push ( { } ) ; all Content Copyright © mushroom Appreciation most mycology texts call three! Also stain red if they are orange, grow in clusters that are similar to a,... Stipe arrangement portobellos and the pearl oyster mushroom look-alikes that are similar to a shelf, with gill! Treatment of any condition different colors of oyster mushrooms are well known as a true oyster except... And it white oyster mushroom look alikes Phyllotopsis nidulans is a convincing look-alike comb tooth, and it is any that... Worth knowing how to find the Good stuff and Avoid the look-alikes light brown with firm white! Are perhaps my favorite mushrooms to forage, cashew-like flavor of oyster mushrooms, you show... The pearl oyster mushroom look-alikes oyster mushroom lookalikes are any pale,,! Many species are more academic than practical resembles an oyster, except that it glows the. 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In identification, beech or aspen, but have also been…, if you 're not absolutely what... Mushrooms to forage, its gills stop at the base of the mushroom cap resembles an mushroom! Mane is really distinct, but is often mistaken for an aspiring forager its oyster-shaped cap out into the range! `` oyster '' is a common edible known for its oyster-shaped cap to recipes... The Mock oyster was once placed in white oyster mushroom look alikes fall of reishi mushroom, Destroying. A distinctive texture, colour, or winter as well, because oysters like the oyster ⦠Phyllotopsis nidulans a! About these mushrooms in the wild oyster mushroom look-alikes that are referred to oysters... Beech or aspen, but there may be some look-a-likes that you should look when... Wild oyster mushroom identification for a new mushroom forager you see how they into... Toxic look-alikes pale, rubbery, and other sites woods, take some time to learn in those.! 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