See the health benefits and how to identify the top 7 types of Oyster mushrooms and how to distinguish them from the 3 poisonous Oyster mushroom look alikes.
Whenever somebody hears the word mushroom there’s a good chance they will automatically think of Oyster mushrooms. I mean, why not? It’s one of the more popular types of mushrooms out there and they can easily be found in a farmer’s market or even groceries.
Couple this with the fact that Oyster mushrooms are easy to identify and can be found at any time of the year. This mushroom is a bit rare to find in the wild but once you know where they grow, you will realize they are quite abundant. Their main season for growing is from March through May.
This article we will discuss about the oyster mushroom, how to identify them, and we will also talk about the different types of Oyster mushrooms. By the end of the article, you will be confident enough to identify them and you should have a great idea on what they are.
Oyster mushrooms are one of the most popular edible mushrooms around. With their mild, seafood-like flavor and texture, it’s no wonder they are a staple in many cuisines. But when foraging for wild oyster mushrooms, proper identification is crucial. There are several look alikes out there, some edible and some toxic.
As a mushroom foraging enthusiast I often get questions from readers about oyster mushroom identification. Just the other day I received an email from Maggie who found some possible oysters growing on a tree stump near her home. She asked how she could tell if they are the real deal or an imposter.
This prompted me to put together this guide to the top oyster mushroom look alikes to watch out for Here I’ll go over their key identification features along with notes on edibility and habitat
Let’s dive in!
How to Identify True Oyster Mushrooms
Before looking at look alikes, it helps to first understand the key features of true oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus). Here’s what to look for
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Gills: Decurrent, meaning they run down the stem. White to pale yellow in color.
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Cap: Oyster or fan-shaped, often in overlapping clusters. White, tan, gray, light brown. Smooth texture.
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Stem: Lateral, often stubby or nonexistent. No ring.
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Habitat: Growing in shelves or clusters on dead hardwood trees and logs.
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Spore print: White to lilac gray.
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Smell: Faint anise or licorice aroma.
Now that you know what to look for in a true oyster, let’s explore some common look alikes.
1. King Oyster (Pleurotus eryngii)
The king oyster is one of the largest oyster mushroom species. It has:
- A thick, stout white stem up to 8 inches long
- A tan to brown cap up to 12 inches wide
- Decurrent gills running down the stem
- Meaty taste when cooked
Edible and popularly cultivated, though not common in the wild. Prefers woody roots of herbs and shrubs.
2. Angel Wings (Pleurocybella porrigens)
Angel wings look nearly identical to oyster mushrooms. They have:
- Pure white funnel-shaped caps
- Lateral white stems
- Long decurrent white gills
However, they only grow on conifer wood. Considered toxic and linked to deaths when eaten raw or in large quantities. Exercise caution.
3. Elm Oyster (Hypsizygus ulmarius)
Another close oyster lookalike, elm oysters have:
- White, tan, or brown caps
- White stems
- Gills not decurrent (key ID feature)
Edible with a mild taste. Grows at the base of elm trees.
4. Golden Oyster (Pleurotus citrinopileatus)
Popular gourmet mushroom, golden oysters can be identified by:
- Vibrant yellow-orange caps
- Decurrent yellow gills
- Stocky white stems
Edible and delicious, with an apricot aroma when cooked. Cultivated commercially.
5. Pink Oyster (Pleurotus djamor)
The pink oyster is unmistakable thanks to its:
- Deep pink cap and gills
- Small, skinny lateral stems
- Powerful “bacon” aroma
Edible and savory, used to add a meaty flavor. Grows on dead hardwood.
6. Poplar Oyster (Pleurotus populinus)
Also called the aspen oyster, this species has:
- Large white caps 5-12 inches wide
- Tough, thick white stems
- Mild anise scent
Edible with a texture reminiscent of abalone. Favors poplar and aspen trees.
7. Branched Oyster (Pleurotus cornucopiae)
True to its name, this oyster features:
- Clustered caps with wavy, split edges
- White stems with multiple branches
- Mild taste when young
Edible, though older specimens get woody. Grows on wide variety of trees.
8. False Oyster (Omphalotus olearius)
This notorious lookalike has:
- Bright orange to yellow caps
- Decurrent gills
- Bioluminescent glow in the dark!
Toxic causing severe gastrointestinal distress. Grows at the base of oaks.
When in Doubt, Seek Expert Identification
While this covers some of the most common oyster look alikes, there are many more out there. Some edible, and some dangerously toxic.
When mushroom foraging, never eat anything you aren’t 100% certain of. If unsure, seek an expert for identification. Local mushroom clubs and universities often offer identification services.
Additionally, always cross-reference multiple sources when identifying mushrooms. Mycophagy (mushroom eating) can be fun and rewarding, but safety should always come first!
Ivory Funnel Mushrooms (Clitocybe Dealbata)
This mushroom looks very similar to the Elm oyster but the difference is this one is poisonous. It also is different from the true Oyster mushroom in the gills stop at the base of the stem.
This mushroom is known as the sweating mushroom because if it eaten the poisonous symptoms are increase sweating followed by abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, blurred vision and labored breathing.
Phoenix Oyster (Pleurotus Pulmonarius)
Compared to its other cousins, the phoenix Oyster mushroom looks very similar to the pearl Oyster. The only difference is that the caps are smaller and have paler coloration. It also grows a longer stem than a pearl Oyster.
As for taste they are pretty much the same although some prefer it over the pearl Oyster for its thicker flesh. It can be paired with just about any type of dish but it works best with just garlic and butter and a hot pan.
Oyster mushrooms and poisonous lookalikes.
FAQ
What can be mistaken for an oyster mushroom?
Jack-o-lantern mushrooms resemble Oyster mushrooms in form and like them, they grow on wood.
How to tell the difference between oyster mushroom and angel wings?
Color: Angel wings are pure ivory color, while oyster mushrooms are usually gray.Dec 14, 2021
Are there golden oyster mushroom look alikes?
Yellow Oyster Mushroom Look-Alikes
Because of its color, the yellow oyster mushroom is easy to tell apart from other varieties of oyster mushrooms. But, people sometimes confuse yellow oysters with honey mushrooms and jack-o-lantern mushrooms.
How do you identify oyster mushroom lookalikes?
The first way to be able to identify oyster mushroom lookalikes is by being able to identify a legitimate oyster mushroom. As the name implies, the mushroom cap resembles an oyster, with a short stem. They are typically 2-9 inches across and grow in shelf-like resemblance with white to off-white firm mushroom flesh.
What do oyster mushrooms taste like?
Oyster mushrooms are incredibly versatile and taste great when pan-fried with butter and garlic or deep-fried with a crumb coating.
What are the different types of oyster mushrooms?
There are different colors of oyster mushrooms, with golden oysters ( pleurotus citrinopileatus) having proven health benefits. There are other varieties, such as the pink oyster mushroom, the King oyster ( pleurotus eryngii) and the pearl oyster mushroom. 2. The Season of Oyster Mushrooms Oyster mushrooms are usually found in the wild in the fall.
Do mock oysters look like oyster mushrooms?
As the name suggests, they look somewhat similar to oyster mushrooms, but they are not true oysters. Mock oysters grow from dead and decaying wood and are common in many hardwood forests. They are deeply gilled and tend to grow in layered clusters, which is what gives them the appearance of oyster mushrooms.
What types of oyster mushrooms are edible?
There are several other types of oyster mushrooms that are edible for example Golden oyster (Pleurotus citrinopileatus), king oyster (Pleurotus eryngii),blue Oyster (Pleurotus Columbinus), king tuber (Pleurotus tuberregium),pink oyster (Pleurotus Djamor), and phoenix oyster (Pleurotus pulmonarius).
Do oyster mushrooms have white flesh?
Oyster mushrooms that are good to pick and eat should have white flesh. Most oyster mushrooms grow in the summer, fall, or both in the summer and fall months. Exceptions do apply with fewer species growing in the winter. The following 16 species are the most likely to look like oyster mushrooms. 1. King Trumpet Mushroom