365 Urban Species. #289: Oyster Mushroom

[urbpan]

Photos by urbpan. Location: Olmsted Park, Boston.

Urban species 289: Oyster Mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus

The oyster mushroom is named for its resemblance to a seashell, growing from dead wood (for discussion of this topic, see the entry on turkey tail). Like most mycological topics, the identity of the oyster mushroom(s) is a topic for argument. Some authorities designate all bracket mushrooms (those that attach to wood horizontally with no stalk) that are whitish to grayish to brown as Pleurotus ostreatus. Others save P. ostreatus for the gray capped ones, assigning white capped Pleurotus the species names dryinus or cornucopiae. All agree that a bracket mushroom of these colors, with gils on its spore bearing surface instead of pores, is delicious. Oyster mushrooms are much sought after, even included in the "safe six" in Start Mushrooming and other beginners' foraging guides. Oysters can be cultivated, and many supermarkets include them alongside portobellos (Agaricus bisporus) and shiitakes (Lentinula edodes). Oyster mushrooms are produced by wood decay fungi, which perform the vital service of turning dead wood back in to soil. Along with humans, certain beetle species enjoy eating oyster mushrooms, and these insects are often hiding in the gills of collected specimens.

Comments

[badnoodles.livejournal.com]

They are one of the best sources of Erotylidae, the Pleasing Fungus Beetles, that I know.

[phlogiston-5.livejournal.com]

I've always suspected that this one was an oyster mushroom:

It was growing on a dead hemlock tree in the Delaware Water Gap Nat. Rec. Area, NJ.

And here are a couple examples of some mycophagous beetles that I have frequently seen on various fungi.

Megalodacne heros (Pleasing fungus beetle)


Bolitotherus cornutus (Forked fungus beetle)


I found both of them several times this year throughout NJ, hanging out mostly on Ganoderma tsugae, but also on other fungi that I couldn't identify at the time. They are probably keen on eating oyster mushrooms as well.

[urbpan.livejournal.com]

I agree with your suspicion.

That second beetle, is that the subject of vyoma's research project?

[mmsword.livejournal.com]

Another fascinating fact about Oyster Mushrooms is that they'll grow in an amazing array of organic substrates. Home cultivators often use coffee grounds ,shreaded newspaper and cardboard, recycling used objects directly into food stuffs.

[turil.livejournal.com]

Oysters might have been the mushroom that is supposed to be good for inter"planting" in garden rows...