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Pleurotus levis
Giant Panus
Lynx Paw Oyster
Synonym(s): Lentinus levis (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Murrill
Florida native
This is one of the oyster mushrooms. It is likely Pleurotus levis, but could also be the very similar Pleurotus dryinus (veiled oyster mushroom).
Pleurotus levis can be found on dead wood and also on live hardwoods from the central peninsula northward into north Florida and the panhandle. The range includes the entire eastern United States.
The cap is white to cream colored and velvety, yellowing with age. The white gills, which also yellow with age are decurrent down the stipe (stem, stalk).
P. levis has a partial veil with remnants being less persistent than on P. dryinus. The former also appears to tolerate warmer climates than the latter.
Pleurotus levis is a member of the Pleurotaceae - Tree Mushrooms family.
Other species of the Pleurotus genus in the Wild Florida Photo database:
Pleurotus pulmonarius - SUMMER OYSTER MUSHROOM
Pleurotus sp. - OYSTER MUSHROOMS
iNaturalist profile for this species
For more information on this species, visit the following link:
The Mushroom Expert page for this species
Date record last modified: Dec 28, 2023
