A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Pleurotus ostreatus
Pleurotus ostreatus, the oyster mushroom, is a common edible mushroom. It was first cultivated in Germany as a subsistence measure during World War I and is now grown commercially around the world for food. However, the first documented cultivation was by Kaufert. There is some question about the name Pleurotus corticatus, but no question that he cultivated an oyster mushroom. It is related to the similarly cultivated "king oyster mushroom". Oyster mushrooms can also be used industrially for mycoremediation purposes. The oyster mushroom may be considered a medicinal mushroom, since it contains statins such as lovastatin which work to reduce cholesterol. Wikipedia
Growing on tree branch along Crystal Springs Trail, Huddart County Park, Woodside, California
Spotted on Jan 6, 2013
Submitted on Jan 8, 2013
No Comments