The popular edible Oyster mushrooms(Pleurotus ostreatus) are easily recognized by the way their shelf-like growth
on wood in clusters. They primarily grow on hardwoods, but sometimes on conifers. They also have a relatively large size, whitish gills, its whitish/lilac spore print and stubby, nearly-absent stem.
A number of very similar species are closely related, and the broad term "Oyster Mushroom" applies equally to Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus pulmonarius (which is often paler, and appears in the summer), and Pleurotus populinus (which is found on the wood of Quaking Aspen).
Oyster Mushrooms are a good source of:
- Anti oxidants
- Fiber
- Vitamin D
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Iron
Oyster mushrooms also lower cholesterol
How about growing Oyster mushrooms?