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Aspen Oyster Mushroom: Identification and Foraging

Published: Aug 9, 2022 · Modified: Sep 13, 2023 by Jenny · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

The Aspen oyster mushroom (Pleurotus populinus) is part of the oyster species complex found in North America. It appears primarily on quaking aspen trees (hence the common name) but also grows on other species of aspen trees and cottonwoods.

The Aspen oyster is also commonly called the Spring oyster, but that isn’t a great name since other oyster mushroom species may appear in spring.

Pleurotus populinus
Pleurotus populinus by Dave W on Mushroom Observer
Jump to:
  • All About The Aspen Oyster Mushroom
  • Aspen Oyster Mushroom Identification
  • Aspen Oyster Mushroom Foraging
  • Aspen Oyster Mushroom Lookalikes
  • Aspen Oyster Mushroom Common Questions

All About The Aspen Oyster Mushroom

The Aspen Oyster is generally found in northern, mountainous areas, following the range of their preferred tree hosts. It looks incredibly similar to the more well-known and widespread oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus. Often, the tree species is the only way to differentiate between the two.

Aspen oyster mushrooms are a “new” species, scientifically speaking. They were first separated out from P. ostreatus in 1993 and given a provisional name. In 1997, it was republished with its current name and entered into the fungi databases.

aspen oyster mushroom
Pleurotus populinus by Desert Alchemist on Mushroom Observer

Aspen Oyster Mushroom Identification

Season

It appears anytime from spring through fall but is more common in spring and early summer.

Habitat

This oyster mushroom grows mainly on quaking aspen (poplar) trees but is also found on other aspens and cottonwoods (Populus genus). It grows on living, dead, and dying trees. The Aspen oyster mushroom is saprobic, causing a white rot that will eventually kill a tree.

Aspen oysters grow singularly but more often are found in dense shelf-like clusters. Several caps will grow out of a single base stem.

Pleurotus populinus
Pleurotus populinus by T727 on Mushroom Observer

Identification

The caps of the Aspen oyster mushroom are white or cream-colored to light gray or pale tan. There is a bit of variance in the coloring. Caps are half-moon or oyster-shell shaped with a slight depression in the center. They’re also described as kidney-shaped or fan-shaped to almost circular, depending on where they are growing on the tree or log.

Aspen oyster caps are bare and have inrolled margins in youth. As they mature, the edges turn wavy and upturned. They range from 1.5-6.5 inches wide.

The gills on Aspen oysters are decurrent, meaning they run partway down the stem. Aspen oyster gills are white or cream-colored and closely spaced. The stem on this mushroom is often nonexistent or very short. It is also white or cream-colored and may be slightly hairy.

Aspen oyster flesh is white and does not change color when cut or bruised. It does not have a strong scent – it is mild and mushroomy, sometimes with a light licorice scent.

aspen oyster
Pleurotus populinus by  Thomas Stoughton on Mushroom Observer
Pleurotus populinus
Pleurotus populinus by  Eva Skific  on Mushroom Observer

On The Lookout

Anytime you’re around quaking aspen, cottonwoods, or other trees in this genus, keep an eye out for Aspen oyster mushrooms. They will grow anywhere on the wood, from way up high in the tree to logs splayed across the ground. These mushrooms are more likely to be found on dying or dead trees or logs, so be especially attentive around these.

Pleurotus populinus
Pleurotus populinus by   Joe Mat on Mushroom Observer

Aspen Oyster Mushroom Foraging

Like all oyster species, these mushrooms get infested by bugs quickly and easily. They’re also a favorite snack of slugs, chipmunks, and other forest creatures. If you find some in good condition, harvest them! Don’t wait with this species.

Aspen oysters are best used within a few days of harvesting. Store them in a brown paper bag in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Pleurotus populinus by   Eva Skific  on Mushroom Observer

Aspen Oyster Mushroom Lookalikes

As mentioned previously, the Aspen oyster mushroom looks almost exactly like the common oyster mushroom, P. ostreatus. The main way to tell these apart is by tree species. To learn more about P. ostreatus, check out the in-depth guide here.

In addition to looking like the common oyster, the Aspen oyster also resembles all oyster mushrooms, including the Veiled oyster. Thankfully, all of these species are edible so there are no worries if you mix them up.

Lastly, there is one species of potentially dangerous mushroom that many people confuse with oyster mushrooms. Angel wings look similar, but there are some key differences, especially compared to the Aspen oyster. The Angel wing mushroom grows primarily on conifer trees and is not likely to ever be on aspen or cottonwood.

Aspen Oyster Mushroom Common Questions

Is the Aspen oyster edible?

Yes, it is an excellent edible mushroom. Use it in any recipe that calls for oyster mushrooms.

When should I look for the Aspen oyster?

The best time to start hunting for Aspen oysters is in spring and early fall around aspen trees and other trees in the Populus genus.

More Mushroom Species

  • Pinwheels and Parachutes: Marasmius Mushrooms of North America
  • Little Trumpet Mushrooms: Xeromphalina Species of North America
  • Funeral Bell Mushroom: All About This Aptly Named, Widespread Species
  • Bay Bolete: Identification, Foraging, and Lookalikes

Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. John Brian

    June 09, 2023 at 12:37 am

    Thank you for the great pictures, now I know what type of mushroom is on our property.

    Reply
    • Jenny

      June 09, 2023 at 1:43 pm

      Yay! So glad the guide was helpful and happy foraging!!

      Reply
  2. Victor

    September 13, 2023 at 4:54 am

    I found a 3 huge stacks of mushrooms that look like this. They were growing round the bottom of the cut down tree stump and in the ground around that stump. The the description you gave followed everything that these mushrooms I found were. I was in a mixed conifer/ Aspen Forest in Eastern Arizona last week of August. We though for sure they were oysters or a North American chanterelle at first but then I saw your post on Aspen Oyster Mushrooms and it followed your description and photos to the T. One problem was they didn’t have a smell at first but more I washed them, they smelled heavily. Almost like a body odor or curry smell. After 3 days of leaving the forest I couldn’t get that smell out of my nose.I threw them out even though I didn’t want to. Do Aspen Oyster Mushrooms release a smell after being washed like this?

    Reply
    • Jenny

      September 13, 2023 at 7:56 pm

      I’ve never heard of aspen oysters smelling strongly. I’m not sure what you had. Maybe something like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucocybe ? or this https://www.mushroomexpert.com/lyophyllum_decastes.html

      Reply
  3. Patricia

    September 27, 2023 at 3:44 am

    Hi I found this mushroom growing out of our aspens but the only difference is the gills, it’s solid underneath, no gills?? Is this still oyster?

    Reply
    • Jenny

      September 27, 2023 at 12:17 pm

      If it doesn’t have gills, definitely not an oyster mushroom. Solid underneath probably means it is a polypore species https://www.mushroom-appreciation.com/introduction-to-polypores.html

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Jenny! I am a seasoned mushroom expert with over 10 years of experience in the field. My blog focuses on North American mushroom species.

More about me →

Recent Guides:

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