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Oak oyster mushroom is a rare conditionally edible mushroom of the Oyster mushroom family. In several regions of Our Country, it is included in the Red Book.
Where does oak oyster mushroom grow
Despite its name, it settles not only on the remains of oaks, but also on the dead wood of other deciduous trees, such as elms. Mushrooms are found in mixed and deciduous forests of the temperate zone of the European continent. Grows singly or in clusters, often multi-tiered, can completely cover a dead tree.
Description and photos of oak oyster mushrooms are presented below.
What does oak oyster mushroom look like
The cap is shell-shaped or fan-shaped, convex or concave-prostrate. It reaches 5-10 cm in diameter, sometimes 15 cm. The edge twists inward. The surface is smooth, with appressed scales, white, cream, gray or brownish. The pulp is light, elastic, thick, has a pleasant smell of mushrooms.
This fungus grows singly or grows together by roots in small bunches.
The plates are rather wide, frequent, branched, descending. Their edge is smooth, wavy or finely serrated. The color is lighter than that of the cap, becoming yellowish with age. Covered with white or light gray bloom. Spore powder white.
The height of the stem is from 3 to 5 cm, the thickness is from 1 to 3 cm. It is eccentric, short, tapering towards the base. The color is like a hat, sometimes a little lighter. The flesh is yellowish, hard and fibrous closer to the root.
A young oak oyster mushroom has a veil on the plates. It quickly breaks and turns into shreds of white and brownish color on the cap and a broken flaky ring on the stem.
Is it possible to eat oak oyster mushroom
It is considered conditionally edible. In some foreign sources, it is described as an inedible species, in others – like a mushroom with good taste.
False doubles
Oyster mushroom, or ordinary. This species has a similar fruit body shape, size and color. Its main difference is the absence of a cover on the plates. The stalk is short, eccentric, lateral, curved, often inconspicuous, hairy at the base, very stiff in older specimens. Refers to edible, grown on an industrial scale, the most cultivated species among oyster mushrooms. Unpretentious, adapts well to adverse conditions. Active growth is observed in September-October, fruiting can begin even in May. High yields are ensured by the fact that the fruiting bodies grow together, forming the so-called nests.
Oyster mushrooms, grown in artificial conditions, can be bought at any supermarket
Oyster mushroom lung (whitish, beech, spring). The color of this mushroom is lighter, almost white. Another important feature is the absence of a membranous bedspread. Leg lateral, rarely central, hairy at the base, off-white. Refers to edible. It grows from May to September on rotting wood, less often on live but weak trees. Under good conditions grows together with the bases in bundles. Occurs infrequently.
Oyster mushroom differs in white color
Rules for collection and use
You can harvest oyster mushrooms from July to September.
It is quite rare, there is little information about the taste. There is an opinion that this one is not inferior in taste to its widespread relative – oyster (ordinary). You can fry, stew, dry, cook soups and sauces. As a rule, only hats are eaten, since the legs have a fibrous structure and are rigid.
Before cooking, boil for 20 minutes in salted water. It is not recommended to salt or pickle for long-term storage as canned food.
Conclusion
Oak oyster mushroom is a rare conditionally edible mushroom. Its main difference from other related species is the presence of a veil on the spore-bearing layer, which in adult specimens is torn and is remnants in the form of flakes.
