Oyster Mushroom

Pleurotus sp.

See artwork and accessories in our shop celebrating the Oyster mushroom!

Etymology: This mushroom’s name refers to the shape of the cap resembling that of an oyster. Additionaly, Oyster mushroom refers to various species found within the genus Pleurotus, for example Pleurotus ostreatus (the Pearl Oyster mushroom), Pleurotus populinus (the Aspen Oyster mushroom), and Pleurotus djamor (the Pink Oyster mushroom).

Other Common Names

• Japan Hiratake (平茸)

Location: Occurs throughout Britain and Ireland as well as in most parts of mainland Europe. It is also widely distributed throughout much of Asia, including Japan, and is present in parts of North America.

Ecological Group: The Decomposers! These fungi obtain their nutrients from dead and decaying organic matter such as logs, manure, and dead animals.

Edible? Yes! The Oyster Mushroom has a meaty texture and a subtle earthy flavor with anise notes.

• History and Culture

  • Oyster mushrooms were first cultivated for human consumption during World War 1 by the Germans as a subsistence measure.

  • In 1977, a survey was conducted among several groups in Nigeria to examine how they used a specific species of Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus tuber-regium). The survey revealed that each group had a unique name and distinct use case for the mushroom. Some utilized it for medicinal purposes, to alleviate conditions like asthma, constipation, headaches, and more. Others incorporated it into soups, believed it could aid in fetal growth, and surprisingly, some even used it as a toothbrush!

• Science

  • Oyster mushrooms are often found on living trees, appearing to be parasitic but in reality it is only eating the dead parts of the tree.

  • Oyster Mushrooms have been shown to break down various types of oil, such as petroleum and diesel, into non-toxic compounds. They accomplish this by producing enzymes that are typically used to break down the tough materials found in wood. Furthermore, upon analysis, the mushroom bodies were found to be free of any oil residue.

• Agriculture

  • Oyster mushrooms exhibit carnivorous behavior and can consume nematodes. This presents a significant advantage for farmers and gardeners, as these fungi can be incorporated into garden soil as mulch to effectively control and diminish expensive nematode populations.

  • Soaking leftover Oyster mushroom substrate in water can produce various agricultural teas. Soaking in cold water can produce a nutritious fertilizer and insecticide, while hot water creates an herbicide.

  • Oyster mushrooms are highly recommended for first-time growers as they are considered one of the easiest mushroom varieties to cultivate.

• Learn More

  • Oyster Mushroom Wikipedia

  • Tom Volk's Fungus of the Month: Oyster Mushroom

  • Wild About Mushrooms Cookbook: Oyster Mushroom

  • INaturalist Oyster Mushrooms

  • First Nature: Oyster Mushroom

• References

  1. Eger, G., Eden, G., & Wissig, E. T. (1976). Pleurotus Ostreatus ? breeding potential of a new cultivated mushroom. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 47(4), 155–163. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00278373

  2. Lee, C., Chang, H., Yang, C., Wali, N., Shie, J., & Hsueh, Y. (2020). Sensory cilia as the Achilles heel of nematodes when attacked by carnivorous mushrooms. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 117(11), 6014–6022. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1918473117

  3. Rhodes, C. J. (2014). Mycoremediation (bioremediation with fungi) – growing mushrooms to clean the earth. Chemical Speciation and Bioavailability, 26(3), 196–198. https://doi.org/10.3184/095422914x14047407349335

  4. Stamets, P. (2000). Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms. National Geographic Books.

  5. Volk, T. (n.d.). Pleurotus ostreatus, the Oyster mushroom, Tom Volk’s Fungus of the Month for October 1998. https://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/oct98.html

Disclaimer: Please refrain from picking and consuming mushrooms without proper guidance. If you have an interest in learning how to forage, I strongly encourage you to join your local mycological society. You can find a list of clubs across America, organized by state, on the North American Mycological Society's website.