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 Pleurotus ostreatus
BiostatusPresent in region - Origin uncertain
Article: Massee, G.E. (1899) [1898]. The fungus flora of New Zealand. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 31: 282–349 Wellington:.
Description: Imbricated or dimidiate. Pilei at first convex and horizontal, then expanded and ascending,
flabellate or more or less oyster-shell-shaped, margin often incurved, glabrous, moist, even,
but the cuticle sometimes torn into squamules, often almost black when quite young, then
brownish-grey, clear blue-grey with a violet tinge, or lavender colour, often becoming
yellowish when old; 6-15 cm. across; flesh thick, white, brownish just below the cuticle, up to
2 cm. thick; gills decurrent, anastomosing behind and forming a network down the under-surface of the stem, rather distant,
broad, white, or tinged yellow, never pinkish; spores
elliptical, white, 10-12 x 4-5 µ; stem obliterated, or short, firm, thickened near the pileus,
base downy or strigose.
Habitat: On trunks.
Distribution: New Zealand. Australia, Europe, Siberia, South Africa.
Notes: Caespitose. Smell strong. Distinguished from every species of Pleurotus except P. corticatus
by the gills anastomosing behind, and often forming a network running down the under-surface of the stem-like base. P.
corticatus differs from the present species in having a ring on
the stem. P. glandulosus, Bull., is the present species with the gills bearing minute glands or
warts here and there, due to the out-growth of the hyphae of the trama. P. columbinus, Quelét,
is the present species with the bluish-grey pileus.
Edible; celebrated from early times for its excellent flavour.
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