Oyster Mushroom Look-alikes Guide

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.

In the case of oyster mushrooms, the multiple health benefits and their natural good taste make finding them in the forest a real bonus.

But how do you know if you’ve found oyster mushroom look-alikes, or real oyster mushrooms? Let’s look at 4 steps to knowing oyster mushroom lookalikes.

1. Know What a Real Oyster Mushroom Looks Like

The first way to be able to identify oyster mushroom lookalikes is by being able to identify a legitimate oyster mushroom.

The Cap

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.

The Stem

Most oyster mushrooms don’t have a stem and if there is one, it is usually very short and not very well developed. The mushroom flesh is white.

The Gills

The gills (lamellae )of oyster mushrooms have decurrent gills which are defined as pertaining to lamellae that are broadly attached and extend down the stipe of the mushroom. If you look closely, the extension of these gills will run down to the stem.

Varieties

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.

If you’re lucky enough to cultivate them yourself, or find a commercial cultivator, they can be harvested year-round.

3. Know Where to Find Them

Oyster mushrooms often grow in clusters that are similar to a shelf, with the clusters overlapping. That means you find them in bunches and not usually alone, unless they are cultivated.

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.

Instead, you should be finding them on dead logs or dying trees. They are most commonly found on hardwoods like oak, beech or aspen, but have also been known to grow on conifers. Check under fallen trees as well, because oysters like the shade.

Oyster mushrooms do not like to grow near stinging nettles, so be wary if found near them. It’s believed this is because nettles have a high acidity.

4. Know How to Identify Oyster Mushroom Look-alikes

There are several oyster mushroom look-alikes that are worth knowing how to identify.

First and perhaps most dangerous is this imposter, the Jack O’Lantern mushroom. They are orange, grow in clusters and have gills that can resemble an oyster. If you find any mushroom that’s orange in color, it’s best to avoid it.

An ivory funnel mushroom (Clitocybe dealbata) is poisonous and also resembles an oyster, except that the gills stop at the base of the stem. It is a close relative of the Fool’s Funnel and is almost impossible to distinguish apart and it is common to treat these two species as one.

The ghost fungus is poisonous and can be mistaken for an oyster, except that it glows in the dark. It also is typically found only in Australia, Japan and India.

An elm mushroom is not poisonous, but isn’t very tasty. It has gills that do not run down the stem of the mushroom, like the oyster. Instead, its gills stop at the base of the stem.

And if you’re ever uncertain, find an expert who can be sure you’ve properly identified an oyster mushroom before you take the chance and eat it.

Final Thoughts

The unique, cashew-like flavor of oyster mushrooms makes them an ideal addition to any recipe. And, the multiple health benefits mean they are worth the time learning to identify them.

If you find them in the wild, it’s even more exciting for an aspiring forager. And with our 4 steps to knowing oyster mushroom lookalikes, you’ll be able to know what to pick and what to avoid.

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