Identification: Are these oyster mushrooms? Are they edible?

Discussion in 'Fungi, Lichens and Slime Molds' started by TOPAGENT, Jan 15, 2009.

  1. TOPAGENT

    TOPAGENT Member

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    can someone tell me if its ok to eat these. Are they oyster mushrooms?
    Debbi
    THEY ARE ON A OLD LOG IN THE SHADE AND ON THE GROUND IN MY BACK YARD.
     

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    TOPAGENT, Jan 15, 2009
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  2. Frog

    Frog Generous Contributor Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Well they're not oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus). Do the undersides have tiny pores or a smooth surface? They might be turkey tails (Trametes sp.) or possibly some kind of Stereum or something similar. The nature of the surface on the underside of these "caps" will tell you a fair bit about them.
    cheers,
    -frog
     
    Frog, Jan 15, 2009
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  3. TOPAGENT

    TOPAGENT Member

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    there are tiny pores on the underside..
     
    TOPAGENT, Jan 17, 2009
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  4. Frog

    Frog Generous Contributor Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    OK - that definitely rules out oysters, which have gills on the underside and Stereums, which don't have visible pores. Which makes it more likely to be Turkey Tails aka Trametes sp. (maybe Trametes versicolor). If they are Trametes, while they are not edible in the usual sense of the word, they do have some impressive medicinal qualities.
     
    Frog, Jan 17, 2009
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