Have low calorie density - this means that the amount of calories you are getting from an ounce is low (0 cal/oz). Rich in vitamins and minerals (142.1%/cal) - a good source of Vitamin D and Copper. Do not contain any risky components such as sodium, cholesterol, saturated fat and added sugar! This item has no fiber content (0% of DV/100g). The two most prominent varieties (shown at the top of this page) are the brown shimeji (buna-shimeji) or beech mushroom, and the white shimeji (bunapi-shimeji). These shouldn't be confused with the hon-shimeji or hatake-shimeji mushrooms, which are uncommon outside of Japan. Shimeji Browser Extension.

Local Name: Cendawan Tiram Kelabu

English: velvet pioppini, poplar mushroom, black poplar mushroom, chestnut mushroom Scientific name: Agrocybe aegerita / Agrocybe cylindracea / Pholiota aegerita Chinese: 茶树菇 / 茶樹菇, 茶薪菇, 柳松菇, 油茶菇, 神菇 Japanese: 占地 (シメジ) shimeji Velvet pioppini is called ’Cha Shu Gu’ 茶树菇.

Common Name: Grey Oyster Mushroom
Scientific Name:Pleurotus sajorcaju
Others Name: Jamur Tiram, Grey Abalone Mushroom, Shimeji
Photo by: Johari Jalinas
Resource: http://malaysianfungi.webs.com/
Reference:
1) H.Pajimo, Drs. Agus Andoko, and Mazlina Ismail. 2009. Perusahaan Tanaman Cendawan-Panduan Lengkap Berkaitan Penyedian Media Tanaman, Cara Menanam, Penjagaan, Penuaian dan Produktiviti. Synergy Media.
2) REHANA ASGHAR1, MUHAMMAD TARIQ1 AND TAHIR REHMAN2 1Department of Botany, University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi, Pakistan,.2Horticultural Research Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan. Pak. J. Bot., 39(4): 1383-1386, 2007. http://www.pakbs.org/pjbot/PDFs/39(4)/PJB39(4)1383.pdf

Lately I've received a number of emails asking me about oyster mushroom identification. The most recent one came in early December from a reader named Tracey. She writes:

Wondering if you could help me. I took photos of mushrooms growing on tree stumps that I had that I could not split and set upright to dry out. This is in Western Pennsylvania a few days ago. Our winter has been very mild so far (40-50 degrees) and damp. Is this the oyster mushroom? And are there mushrooms that could look like this and be poisonous?

Great questions, Tracey! Let's take a closer look at oyster mushroom identification. I've broken this page into two sections, identification features and look alikes.

Please remember to never eat any mushroom if you're not absolutely sure what it is. The Internet is a great resource, but if you're a beginner you should show your find to a real live expert to be safe. Nothing beats an in person identification!

To read more about these mushrooms in general see this page.

Special thanks to Tracey Ann Miller for the pictures!

Traits and Characteristics

Pleurotus ostreatus, is a common edible known for its oyster-shaped cap. One of the first things you should look for when trying to identify this mushroom is the presence of decurrent gills.

Decurrent means that the gills are attached to and run directly down the stem. Take a look at the close up to the right. Can you see how they run into and down the stem?

Other identification features:

Cap

Oyster or fan shaped, usually 2-10 inches across (5-25 cm).

Often grow in a shelf-like formation with overlapping clusters.

Smooth, with no warts or scales.

Usually white to light brown with firm, white flesh.

The gills are white, and are attached to and running down the cap and stem (decurrent).

Stem

They may not have a stem. If they do it will often be stubby and off-center if the mushroom is growing on the side of a log. If it's growing on the top you will see a more well developed stem.

No ring around the stem, and no sack around the base.

Flesh is white.

Spore print

White to lilac-gray. It's best to make the spore print on a dark background.

Habitat

These mushrooms are saprotrophic, meaning they feed on dead material, in this case wood. Thus you'll find them growing on logs or sick or dying trees.

How To Cook Shimeji Mushroom

Most often found on deciduous hardwoods (trees that lose their leaves). Beech and aspen trees are common. Sometimes found on conifers as well.

Smell

Said to have a mild anise odor, meaning they smell a little sweet like licorice.

Time of year

Summer and fall, or winter as well in warmer areas.

Oyster Mushroom Look Alikes

Shelf Fungus Scientific Name

This page tells you how to identify Pleurotus ostreatus, the 'true' oyster mushroom. However, there are other mushrooms in the Pleurotus genus that are referred to as oysters. A few examples are:

Pleurotus citrinopileatus - The Golden Oyster
Pleurotus eryngii - King Oyster
Pleurotus pulmonarius - Phoenix Oyster
Pleurotus tuberregium - King Tuber
and many more!

These species are all edible, so if you mistake a phoenix oyster for a true oyster, you will not be poisoned.

Another similar species is the elm oyster, Hypsizygus ulmarius. This is not a true oyster at all, but is often mistaken for one.

To tell an elm oyster from a true oyster, take a look at the gills. The gills of a true oyster run down the stem, the gills of an elm oyster do not. The elm oyster is edible, although some say not as tasty.

So are there any poisonous look alikes? The poisonous Omphalotus nidiformis is sometimes mistaken for an oyster. It grows in Japan and Australia so become familiar with it if you live in those countries.

Brown Shimeji Mushrooms Recipe

The same rules apply here as with any other species. Become familiar with them through reading and pictures, try to find them in the wild, and check your finds with someone who knows in real life. Taking a spore print and checking for gill attachment can be a big help.

Good luck!

Shimeji Mushroom Scientific Name