Common Oyster Mushroom
Pleurotus ostreatus
Safety assessment
Edible
Based on reviewed safety sources.
A shell-shaped mushroom growing on deciduous trunks in late autumn and winter, in overlapping shelves. A good edible species.
Identification
- Grows on wood, never on soil.
- Stem usually lateral, sometimes nearly absent.
- White, pleasant aroma; gills white.
Lookalikes
These species can be confused
- Oyster RollrimTapinella panuoidesCap shell-shaped and pale brown, with a woolly margin.Serious
- Omphalotus illudensThis taxon is not fully reconciled yet.Unresolved
- Pale oysterPleurotus pulmonariusUnresolved
Baltic distribution
- Latvia
- 0
- Lithuania
- 47
- Estonia
- 87
- Global
- 51563
Occurrence records in GBIF — not a claim that the species is absent elsewhere.
Safety first. This information is an educational reference, not a confirmation of an edible mushroom. Identifying fungi is difficult and mistakes can be dangerous. Never eat a mushroom unless you are completely certain of its identity, and consult a certified mycologist.
