Extract from Wikipedia article: Pleurotus ostreatus, the pearl oyster mushroom or tree oyster mushroom, is a common edible mushroom. It was first cultivated in Germany as a subsistence measure during World War I and is now grown commercially around the world for food. It is related to the similarly cultivated king oyster mushroom. Oyster mushrooms can also be used industrially for mycoremediation purposes.
Pleurotus ostreatus is a widely distributed edible fungus that grows on trees, stumps, and other decaying wood. In East and Central Texas, it typically fruits from spring to fall, often in shaded, humid areas near water sources. It can be found on various tree species, including oak, elm, and willow, with caps ranging from 1-4 inches in diameter, fan-shaped or oyster-shaped, and grayish-brown to tan in color. The gills are decurrent, and the stem is short or absent. In Texas, it is commonly found in urban and rural areas, including parks, woodlands, and along rivers and streams.
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) in Huntsville Park. Texas, December 8, 2013
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a tree in Huntsville Park. Texas, December 28, 2013
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 26, 2014
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a fallen oak on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, Texas, September 22, 2018
Masses of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a fallen oak on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, Texas, September 22, 2018
Gills of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a fallen oak on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, Texas, September 22, 2018
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, November 23, 2018
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a tree fallen across a creek in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, November 23, 2018
Caps of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, November 23, 2018
Gills of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, November 23, 2018
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a thin fallen tree on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 29, 2019
Caps of Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a fallen oak tree on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 29, 2019
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a fallen oak branch on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 27, 2019
Gills of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a fallen oak branch on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 27, 2019
Mature oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) at the base of a dry oak on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, January 12, 2020
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) at the base of a living elm tree in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, August 11, 2020
Underside of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) at the base of a living elm tree in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, August 11, 2020
Young oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a small fallen oak branch on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 10, 2020
Underside of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a small fallen oak branch on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 10, 2020
Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a fallen oak on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 28, 2020
Underside of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on an oak log on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 28, 2020
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a fallen oak on Little Lake Creek Loop Trail east from Trailhead No. 4 in Sam Houston National Forest, near Montgomery. Texas, January 2, 2021
Large number of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a fallen oak on Little Lake Creek Loop Trail east from Trailhead No. 4 in Sam Houston National Forest, near Montgomery. Texas, January 2, 2021
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a fallen oak with melting snow near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, January 13, 2021
Upper view of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, January 13, 2021
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) at the base of an oak on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, July 25, 2021
Underside of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, July 25, 2021
Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a stump on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, October 21, 2021
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a fallen tree in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, November 30, 2021
Underside of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) on a fallen tree in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, November 30, 2021
Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)(?) on a log near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, October 22, 2022
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) at a base of a tree on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, February 23, 2023
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) at the base of a hackberry tree in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, December 4, 2023
Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, October 25, 2024
Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) at the base of an oak in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, October 25, 2024
Caps of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) at the base of an oak in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, October 25, 2024
AI-generated summary of observations
The fungus Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushrooms) was observed in East and Central Texas from 2013 to 2024. The majority of sightings were in Sam Houston National Forest, specifically on the Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail and Little Lake Creek Loop Trail. Observations also occurred in Lick Creek Park, College Station, and Hensel Park. The mushrooms were typically found on fallen oak trees, branches, or stumps, but also on living elm and hackberry trees. They were observed during various seasons, with a concentration of sightings in the fall and winter months. The observations suggest that Pleurotus ostreatus is common in the region and can thrive on a variety of substrates. The consistent presence of the species over several years indicates its adaptability to the local environment.