In this video, I share a large bloom of cool-weather-loving oyster mushrooms growing on a stump. Pleurotus ostreatus is one of several edible species commonly called oyster mushrooms, and they're resilient and voracious, growing on wood nearly any time of year. During the cooler months of fall and winter, Pleurotus ostreatus colonies can get large and the mushrooms can be quite meaty.
In addition to identification features, habitat, and tips for finding and eating Pleurotus ostreatus, I discuss two oyster mushroom lookalikes. First are mushrooms in the Lentinellus genus, which are thin, slightly furry, stemless mushrooms that grow in shelves similar to oysters. I also discuss the so-called angel's wing mushroom, Pleurocybella porrigens, which has caused deadly poisonings (though rare).
I also briefly acknowledge that I am a terrible mushroom cultivator and successfully grew Pleurotus ostreatus. So, this species is a good candidate for beginning cultivators, even if you're kind of lousy at fiddly processes like I am.
