Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm.
Family: Pleurotaceae
Oyster Mushroom
Pleurotus ostreatus image
National Mushroom Centre  
Mata, M., D. Penjor and S. Pradham. 2010. Fungi of Bhutan. National Mushroom Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Thimphu, Bhutan.

Local name: Naki Shamong (Changma Shamong for the white variety)

Edibility: Edible

Habitat: Lignicolous and gregarious. 

Description: Cap: 3-12 cm, convex, becoming fan-shaped or shell-shaped, sometimes semicircular or plane with a small depression in the centre, surface smooth, pale brown to dark brown. Hymenophore: Decurrent gills, close, whitish or with a grey tinge. Stem: Rudimentary or absent. Flesh: Thick and white. Spore Print: Whitish to greyish.

Comments: This is a very popular edible species that is often cultivated here in Bhutan and elsewhere in the world. There is white variety as well which is commonly found in market. It is easily identified by the white colour of the gills, the smooth pileus, white to greyish or brownish-grey, and soft, fleshy consistency of the fruit body, which is generally fan-shaped or shell-shaped. The variety found growing on willow stumps is white in colour too.