TYPES OF OYSTER MUSHROOM

OYSTER MUSHROOM (Pleurotus pulmonarius) or known in Malaysia as Grey Oyster Mushroom or 'Cendawan Tiram Kelabu' in Malay is an edible tropical mushroom which was groen commercially all year round in Malaysia. There are more than 60 mushroom growers in Malaysia recorded producing more than 250 - 300 metric tons annually for domestic and export market. This mushroom reported are originated from Germany during the World War I. Pleurotus ostreatus is known commonly known as Oyster Shelf or Tree Oyster or known as Tamogitake and Straw Mushroom. From my own personal observation in which this mushroom very similar to Pleurotus pulmonarius with some basic differences. The cap of Oyster mushroom are broad and fan or oyster shape. Pleurotus ostreatus prefer temperate and sub-tropical climate. This fungus grows on dead hardwood trees in their habitat. It was firstly sophisticated in Germany during the World War I. It is grown economically in the world as a food. It is cultivated as similar to the king Oyster mushroom. These mushrooms are also used for industrial purposes. These fungi are cultivated worldwide generally in India, Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe. In the 18th century, Joseph Freiherr von Jacquin assigned the Oyster mushrooms in the Agarius family due to the presence of gills underneath the cap. In 1871 according to some report from Paul Kummar as a German mycologist  that was assigned the mushroom in Pleurotus family. At that time Germany grew Oyster mushroom during World War I as a necessity food which discovered the antibiotic qualities of this mushroom. In Malaysia the local strain is better performance to the hot humid condition. Blog "Anim Agriculture Technology" writes about the oyster mushroom as source of healty food.

Types of Oyster Mushroom
Some types of Oyster mushroom are listed below for references as recorded:

1. Golden Oyster Mushroom 
    (Pleurotus citrinopileatus)
Golden oyster mushroom has distinct taste with delightful light-yellow color. This mushroom is hypersensitive and low in productivity rate. For me this variety are seldom grown in Malaysia as commercial mushroom, I was once managed to this mushroom grown in Muar, Johor few years ago. Due to its characteristic with low productivity many farmers in the difficulty to get the profit.

2. Pleurotus cornucopiae
The mushroom are unique due to their cap with a cream colored during young and turns into yellowish to ochraceous when matured. The cap is funnel shaped with white inner flesh is white and mild taste. I have seen few growers of this mushroom ini Perak and Johore few years ago. However, until today this mushroom are nor commercialized as good commodities in Malaysia.

3. Pink Oyster Mushroom 
    (Pleurotus djamor)
This mushroom reported as native to tropical and subtropical areas which has an exotic look. This mushroom has a color similar to the color of salmon flesh that was attractive and desired to eat. In addition reported that this mushroom is thermo tolerant and is cultivated in warm weather. I have seen some mushroom growers in Negeri Sembilan and Pahang try to grow this mushroom for hobby.

4.  King Oyster Mushroom
     (Pleurotus eryngii)
This mushroom are easy to grow and has a therapeutical utility but reported has a less productive in comparison other types of Oyster mushrooms. From my observation inn which this mushroom promotes the nutritive supplements same as rye grains or wheat. I never seen this mushroom grown in Malaysia until today especially in the commercial mushroom farms.

5. Oyster Mushroom
   (Pleurotus ostreatus)
It was originated from the Greek word pleura which means side and otus which means ear. This mushroom reported as a simple to be grown and various productive strains that are found surround the traditional village. It could be cultivated in any season either hot and medium condition. It progress well in low temperatures or high temperatures so this mushroom are grown commercially in many countries. I have seen many farmers grown this mushroom for their income in Malaysia located in Johor, Sabah and Pahang.

6. The Florida Oyster Mushroom 
     (Pleurotus florida)
This mushroom was originated from Florida in USA and was not commercially grown in Malaysia. It is suitable to be grown in moist and warm weather. It is used traditionally all around the world but there are difficulty to buy fresh Florida Oyster Mushroom in Malaysia outlet. However, there are dried mushroom available in proper packaging pack.

7. Indian Oyster or Phoenix Mushroom 
    (Pleurotus pulmonarius)
This mushroom has the shape and color of human lungs and easyy to grow. It consists of varieties such as var. lapponicus, var. juglandis and var. pulmonarius. Juglandis are found on Juglans spp. trees whereas other grow on the hardwoods as well as conifers beyond subtropical and temperate areas. There are reported few farmers grown of Pleorotus pulmonarius commercially in Malaysia using rubber wood fiber as their medium. 

8. Grey Oyster Mushroom
    (Pleurotus pulminarius)
This is the most popular mushroom grown in Malaysia in commercial scale and most marketted. Malaysia has a great diversity of edible mushrooms and a climate that is ideal for cultivating them throughout the year. The dominant variety is the grey oyster mushroom. Current research activities in Malaysia are mainly concentrated on discovering new wild mushroom varieties with nutritious and/or medical potential. Recently, mushrooms were declared an industrial crop by the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry to boost efforts to farm them on a commercial basis. Though a variety of edible mushrooms are endemic in Malaysia, almost all varieties cultivated here are not native to the country. Identification and domestication of new wild edible mushrooms and production of new genetically improved seeds could reverse this trend, reducing cultivation costs and increasing the farmers’ revenue within a short period. Thanks.

By,
M Anim,
Putrajaya,
Malaysia.
(July 2020).

Updated on September 2023.