Pleurotus ostreatus

Pleurotus ostreatus, the osyter mushroom, can be recognized by its Pleurotoid stature, laterally attached fruiting body, white spores, and a pileus that is light tan to tan in color; all of these features can be seen in the picture. The brown tones to the pileus are often absent; however the pileus is never milk-white in color. In coastal ecosystems, fruiting bodies of P. ostreatus are found abudantly on standing, but dead Alder trees and will continue to be found on the same tree as long as it remains standing. Once the tree falls, the fruiting bodies last about 2-3 years and then disappear.