Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus group)

Oyster mushroom on mossy log

Habitat: Dense clusters on a mossy, decayed hardwood log near Lakeville, MN
Cap: Fan- to oyster-shaped, tan to pale buff; margin often wavy or lobed
Gills: Decurrent (running down the cap’s underside toward the attachment), close, pale
Stem: Lateral to very short; often off-center or absent
Spore print (expected): White to very pale lilac-gray
Season (local): Late fall after rains and cold snaps; can fruit during warm spells

Notes: The shelf-like habit, lateral attachment, and decurrent gills match Pleurotus. Color varies with age and weathering; these show sun-faded caps with crisp gill detail.

Image Set

<div class="card bg-dark text-light border-secondary">
  <img src="/gallery/fungi/mushrooms/assets/oyster/E21A0285.jpg" class="card-img-top gallery-img" data-bs-toggle="modal" data-bs-target="#lightboxModal" data-bs-img="/gallery/fungi/mushrooms/assets/oyster/E21A0285.jpg" alt="Oyster Mushroom">
  <div class="card-body p-2">
    <h5 class="card-title mb-1">Oyster Mushroom</h5>
    <p class="card-text mb-1 small">Photo ID: _21A0285</p>
    <p class="card-text small">2081x3126</p>
  </div>
  <!-- E21A0285 --> 
<!-- EXIF Data --> 
<div id="E21A0285EXIF"> 
<table class="table table-sm table-dark text-light text-center border-light"> 
<tbody> 
<tr><td>Camera</td><td>Canon EOS 5D Mark IV</td></tr> 
<tr><td>Lens</td><td>EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM</td></tr> 
<tr><td>ISO</td><td>100</td></tr> <tr><td>Aperture</td><td>f/5.6</td></tr> 
<tr><td>Shutter</td><td>1/160s</td></tr> 
</tbody> 
</table> 
</div>
</div>

<div class="card bg-dark text-light border-secondary">
  <img src="/gallery/fungi/mushrooms/assets/oyster/E21A0288.jpg" class="card-img-top gallery-img" data-bs-toggle="modal" data-bs-target="#lightboxModal" data-bs-img="/gallery/fungi/mushrooms/assets/oyster/E21A0288.jpg" alt="Oyster Mushroom">
  <div class="card-body p-2">
    <h5 class="card-title mb-1">Oyster Mushroom</h5>
    <p class="card-text mb-1 small">Photo ID: _21A0288</p>
    <p class="card-text small">1526x2289</p>
  </div>
</div>
<!-- E21A0288 --> 
<!-- EXIF Data --> 
<div id="E21A0288EXIF"> 
<table class="table table-sm table-dark text-light text-center border-light"> 
<tbody> 
<tr><td>Camera</td><td>Canon EOS 5D Mark IV</td></tr> 
<tr><td>Lens</td><td>EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM</td></tr> 
<tr><td>ISO</td><td>100</td></tr> <tr><td>Aperture</td><td>f/5.6</td></tr> 
<tr><td>Shutter</td><td>1/160s</td></tr> 
</tbody> 
</table> 
</div> 

<div class="card bg-dark text-light border-secondary">
  <img src="/gallery/fungi/mushrooms/assets/oyster/E21A0294.jpg" class="card-img-top gallery-img" data-bs-toggle="modal" data-bs-target="#lightboxModal" data-bs-img="/gallery/fungi/mushrooms/assets/oyster/E21A0294.jpg" alt="Oyster Mushroom">
  <div class="card-body p-2">
    <h5 class="card-title mb-1">Oyster Mushroom</h5>
    <p class="card-text mb-1 small">Photo ID: _21A0294</p>
    <p class="card-text small">1247x1870</p>
  </div>
  <!-- E21A0294 --> 
  <!-- EXIF Data --> 
  <div id="E21A0294EXIF"> 
  <table class="table table-sm table-dark text-light text-center border-light"> 
  <tbody> 
  <tr><td>Camera</td><td>Canon EOS 5D Mark IV</td></tr> 
  <tr><td>Lens</td><td>EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM</td></tr> 
  <tr><td>ISO</td><td>100</td></tr> 
  <tr><td>Aperture</td><td>f/5.6</td></tr> 
  <tr><td>Shutter</td><td>1/100s</td></tr> 
  </tbody> 
  </table> 
  </div> 
</div>

<div class="card bg-dark text-light border-secondary">
  <img src="/gallery/fungi/mushrooms/assets/oyster/E21A0297.jpg" class="card-img-top gallery-img" data-bs-toggle="modal" data-bs-target="#lightboxModal" data-bs-img="/gallery/fungi/mushrooms/assets/oyster/E21A0297.jpg" alt="Oyster Mushroom">
  <div class="card-body p-2">
    <h5 class="card-title mb-1">Oyster Mushroom</h5>
    <p class="card-text mb-1 small">Photo ID: _21A0297</p>
    <p class="card-text small">1526x2289</p>
  </div>
</div>

<div id="E21A0297EXIF"> <table class="table table-sm table-dark text-light text-center border-light"> <tbody> <tr><td>Camera</td><td>Canon EOS 5D Mark IV</td></tr> <tr><td>Lens</td><td>EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM</td></tr> <tr><td>ISO</td><td>100</td></tr> <tr><td>Aperture</td><td>f/5.6</td></tr> <tr><td>Shutter</td><td>1/125s</td></tr> </tbody> </table> </div>

Look-alikes (quick tells)

Angel Wing (Pleurocybella porrigens) — thinner, very pale/white, smaller; no strong anise odor; associated with conifers; caution advised.
Crepidotus spp. — similar shelf habit but brown spore print; gills often look softer/less crisp.
Lentinellus spp. — serrated/toothed gill edges; tougher texture.
Panellus stipticus — tiny, clustered, tough; bioluminescent in the dark; gills not as broad.

Safety

Many Pleurotus species are considered edible, but confirm ID with multiple features and be mindful of allergies or substrate contaminants (e.g., roadside logs). Field page is for documentation—not a foraging guide.

Tech Details

Camera	Canon EOS 5D Mk IV
Lens	EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
ISO	—
Aperture	—
Shutter	—

References:

National Audubon Society: Mushrooms of North America (April 2023)
Personal field notes (2025)