Shoehorn oyster
Hohenbuehelia petaloides
A species of Hohenbuehelia.
Hohenbuehelia petaloides, commonly known as the shoehorn oyster, is characterized by its distinctively long, petal-like cap, frequently evoking the shape of a shoehorn. What sets these oysters apart is their dual method of nutrient acquisition: while they decompose decaying wood like other fungi, they also possess specialized structures enabling them to ensnare and digest nematodes, small worms that typically prey on mushrooms.
In This Article
Attributes of Shoehorn oyster
Cap Diameter
3 - 9 cm
Height
2 - 5 cm
Cap
Cap 3 - 9 cm across; fan-shaped; brown; surface fairly bald, fine white fuzz; margin not lined
Cap Surfaces
Smooth, Slimy or slightly sticky
Gills
Deeply decurrent; crowded; whitish, dull yellowish
Gill Attachment
Decurrent
Stem
Stem 1 - 3 cm long, 3 - 10 mm thick; brownish to whitish
Stem Shapes
Cylindrical
Stem Surfaces
Fibrillose
Flesh
Rubbery; whitish; unchanging when sliced
Ring
Ringless
Spore Print Color
White
Odor
Mildly mushroomy with a mealy scent.
Body Color
BrownYellowGrayWhite
Flesh Bruises
The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.
Growth Form
Solitary, Scattered, Gregarious
Nutrient Gathering
Saprophytic
Substrate
On soil, Dead Woods, Wood Chips or Mulch
You can find Shoehorn oyster by these plants
Lindens, Populus
Occurence Habitats
Disturbed Lands
Species Status
Widely distributed
Endangered Species
No
Scientific Classification of Shoehorn oyster
Phylum
Club fungi
Class
Mushroom-forming fungi
Order
Gilled fungi
Family
The tree mushroom family
Genus
Hohenbuehelia
Toxicity and Edibility of Shoehorn oyster
Is Shoehorn oyster Toxic?
Toxicity information is not available for this mushroom. Always consult with an expert before consuming any wild mushrooms.
