Pleurotus is a genus of mushrooms which species are one of the most popular mushrooms, appreciated as a tasty and healthy food. That confirms the fact that they are some of the most commonly cultivated edible mushrooms in the world. Except for food, Pleurotus fungi have been used in mycoremediation of pollutants such as petroleum and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
The common name „Oyster Mushroom“ comes from the white shell-like appearance of the fruiting body which is rather funnel shaped by maturity. It has decurrent gills and an off center stipe.
It is a saprotrophic fungi growing alone or in small clusters on dead wood, usually on dead standing trees or on fallen logs. Most species of Pleurotus are white-rot fungi on hardwood trees especially oaks and beech, although some also decay conifer wood. It can be found for most of the year especially late spring to autumn.
