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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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.