oyster mushroom

American  

noun

1. oyster cap.

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oyster mushroom British  

noun

1. an edible fungus, Pleurotus ostreatus, having an oyster-shaped cap, commonly found growing in clusters on the trunks of broad-leaved trees

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Etymology

Origin of oyster mushroom

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

These records allowed them to map sightings of the golden oyster mushroom across North America.

From Science Daily • Apr. 24, 2026

Other edible mushrooms in California that are far more recognizable — and don’t have dangerous lookalikes — include the chicken of the woods, oyster mushroom and honey mushroom, Diaz said.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025

The oyster mushroom produces chemicals to paralyze its nematode prey within a few minutes of contact.

From National Geographic • Dec. 12, 2023

“Somebody sees this thing and they think it looks wild and extraterrestrial,” she said, “but it’s a pink oyster mushroom that cooks beautifully into something that tastes like barbecue pork.”

From Washington Post • Apr. 13, 2023

The oyster mushroom is found from March to December and is always a very acceptable mushroom.

From The Mushroom, Edible and Otherwise Its Habitat and its Time of Growth by Hard, Miron Elisha