Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:

Pipevine prefers shade and moist environments in forests; Oyster Mushroom is widely considered as one of the most resilient mushrooms, as it can grow on various woods and fruits in 55-85F temperatures. Its favorite woods Aspens, Willows, Cottonwood, Poplar, Yellow, Box Elder, Tulip, and Magnolia. 

Growth Habit/Description:

Grow in tight clusters on trees, stumps, and logs, caps reaching 3-11 inches. Caps are light brown, grey, or tan, while the flesh is white, as are the gills.

Bloom Season:

Fruiting occurs in spring, summer, and early fall, excluding the peak heat time. 

Fall and/or Winter Interest?

Fruits grow in fall, which act as a food source for fungus beetles.

Host Plant for Caterpillars?

No.

Other Known Ecological Value?

Yes; Oyster Mushrooms can grow on decaying wood, which assists with the decaying process and returns nutrients to the earth. Fungus beetles, such as Triplax thoracica, feast on these mushrooms. 

Culinary Uses:

Oyster Mushrooms are highly sought out and are used in a variety of culture's food, such as in Slovakian, Russian, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese food. They are grown commercially for food as well. 

Meat-Eating Mushroom:

Pleurotus ostreatus eats nematodes by using a calcium toxin, which paralyzes nematodes, causes necrosis, and makes them a protein "slurry" for the mushroom. Brutal! This is also how it gets nitrogen. 

Field & Forest Products. Peshtigo (WI). Growing Mushrooms on Logs. [Cited 2024, Apr 12]. Available from: https://www.fieldforest.net/category/growing-mushrooms-on-logs

Field & Forest Products. Peshtigo (WI). Species/Strain Info: Oyster. [Cited 2024, Apr 13]. Available from: https://www.fieldforest.net/category/mushroom-species-strain-info

iNaturalist. San Francisco (CA). Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus).  [Cited 2024, Apr 12]. Available from: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/48494-Pleurotus-ostreatus

Last edited by Kira Burnett, April 2024.