Hypsizygus ulmarius
also known as Pleurotus ulmarius
ELM OYSTER
Order: Agaricales, Family Lyophyllaceae
CAP WHITE, SINGLE TO CLUSTER OF 3
Cap: 5-28 cm wide; at first convex with inrolled margin, becoming flat; white, then light tan; surface becoming cracked with age and forming patches or scales ;growing from branch scars of living hardwoods, especially elm
GILLS WHITE, NOT RUNNING DOWN STALK
Gills: attached to stem, not decurrent (running down stalk); white becoming cream
STALK CENTRAL OR ECCENTRIC
Stalk: 5-15 cm long, 1-4 cm thick, smooth or occasionally hairy, white, solid, central or off-center
SPORE PRINT WHITE TO BUFF
Spores: 5-8 µm, round or nearly round, smooth
Hypsizygus ulmarius🍴Edible. can be tough but tastes good
FOUND ON LIVING HARDWOODS, ESPECIALLY ELM; SINGLE OR CLUSTER OF 2 OR 3
LOOKALIKES
Hypsizygus tessulatus
Much smaller, grows in clusters
Hypsizygus ulmarius
Elm Oyster
Longer stalk which becomes hollow
Pleurotus ostreatus group
No stalk to short stalk; gills decurrent
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This is a large, sturdy mushroom growing from the branch scars of deciduous trees. This one was found in City Park in Denver Colorado, about 10 feet up on an elm tree. One mushroom hunter stood on the shoulders of another to reach it. We cooked a piece of that cap and it was delicious, tasting much like Pleurotus.
