Oyster Shrooms?

Stewy · #1 (**permalink**) 31-05-2008, 03:07 PM

Had a bit of luck today and found what I believe to be Pleurotus ostreatus

Am I right? At first I thought they could be the Branching Oyster because of the colour but Phillips say's it can vary, smell really shroomy too.

Sorry about the quality of the pics I've only got a Kodak Easyshare!!!

cybershot · #2 (**permalink**) 31-05-2008, 03:52 PM

They look in prime condition for the frying pan Stewy - like the crop I just gathered at Greenham (Bowdown Wood) they do look on the pale buff side but no less tasty for that

David

Stewy · #3 (**permalink**) 31-05-2008, 04:05 PM

Cheers David, It was the colour that was putting doubts in my mind, they are really wet but as it happens I've got one right next to me and as it is drying it is darkening a little.

Leif · #4 (**permalink**) 31-05-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewy

Cheers David, It was the colour that was putting doubts in my mind, they are really wet but as it happens I've got one right next to me and as it is drying it is darkening a little.

It is quite a variable species, and I have seen them from dark grey to almost white. The photo does look right, but then again how could someone be sure from the photos. I suppose the question is what could you confuse them with, and is there anything poisonous?

There are loads in a wood down the road from me, but the land owner was nearby, so I refrained from picking any!

PeteS · #5 (**permalink**) 31-05-2008, 11:31 PM

Nice one Stewy! For some reason I find that they are often paler in colour when on the underside of a branch/trunk. I have no idea why, just something I have noticed. There are a lot around in the New Forest at the moment, but last year they started fruiting in March. I find that they are at there best (to eat) when on the small side (5cm or less) as the larger ones can be tough and have maggots. But small they really can be excellent. Keep well in the fridge too (up to a week) and far better than cultivated Oyster mushrooms.

Stewy · #6 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 12:40 AM

Could it be down to lack of sunlight perhaps? Another rubbish photo but I've had my eye on this and since it's been drying out it has started getting darker, not a great deal but quite noticeable.

Stewy · #7 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 04:54 PM

Did you not see what I stumbled across on Saturday Nick? Guess what the girlfriends old mans fav shrooms are?!!

NickCantle · #8 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 05:28 PM

Alright for some isn't it?

I tell you what, I found some Chicken of the Woods today, my fourth lot, and guess what? I'm no giant, so I couldn't get it. About 35-40foot up the tree

Steve Wurzel · #9 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 07:10 PM

I saw a Chicken in the Woods today at about knee height, but it was roadside so I figured it might be polluted, so I still haven't tasted any yet

I'm working on a extending knife for a nice crop of very high ones

To confirm the Oysters Stewy, leave the caps on the paper as you've got them in your photo and you should get a lilac spore print, like these I found at Xmas..

The photo quality of your's isn't great, no offence, but they look like oysters to me too.

Stewy · #10 (**permalink**) 22-06-2008, 05:11 PM

Went back to the same spot today but sadly they had all dried up, after a bit of crunching through the woods (Am I the only idiot that wears shorts?) I found a fallen beech tree smothered in them!!!!!!

After that I found another 4 spots that were covered in them, get out there folks, they are everywhere, I picked a Kilo for friends and family and that didn't scratch the surface plus I don't want to be too greedy!!

Also found loads of Artist's Bracket's which was nice!!

Also found an Anamita which I think was a Blusher but I left it be and 7 mashed up COTW! All in all a good day!