Pleurotus

Notes

Fleshy fungi attached to the substrate directly from the side of the cap, or through a short stalk at one side of the cap, cap smooth, spore print white. Saprobic
There are at least 6 species of Pleurotus in New Zealand, P. purpureoolivaceus being particularly common in Nothofagus forests.
Three common superficially similar New Zealand genera share these features. Pleurotus has a soft cap with easily broken flesh. Pleurotopsis and Hohenbuehelia have a gelatinous layer beneath the surface of the cap, making the flesh difficult to break. All are saprobic. Conchomyces has a similar habit, but no images are available for this genus. It is distinguished by the spores having rough walls.

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Images NZFungi Entry

Pleurotus pulmonarius

An exotic species, quite common on dead wood of exotic trees, found also on wood chip mulch. This species is also commercially cultivated in New Zealand.