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Upcoming Events | Meet the Instructors | Plant Archive | Mushroom Archive
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The veiled oyster (Pleurotus dryinus) is an edible oyster mushroom that can be found throughout North America. It fruits spring-fall in New England.
It is most often found growing as a decomposer on dead and dying oak and beech trees but can also grow on other hardwoods. The mushroom can grow singularly or in small groups.
The cap is cream colored, turning yellowish with age. When the mushroom is young, a veil will cover the gills. The stem is longer than other oyster mushrooms, often reaching 1-3 inches. The mushroom has an earthy, slightly fruity scent.
The veiled oyster is best harvested young. It toughens with age. It can be used in place of other oyster mushrooms in cooking.
The Veiled oyster is commonly confused with Pleurotus levis, another edible oyster mushroom species. Pleurotus levis tends to grow in warmer weather, has a softer cap, and has dense hairs on its stem.
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Written by Amy Demers, founder of the Connecticut Foraging Club. To learn more about foraging in Connecticut, check out our upcoming classes.
