Pleurotus citrinopileatus

Morphological Features:

Pileus with a diameter generally ranging between 5 and 10 cm; initially whitish or cream-colored at emergence, gradually turning yellowish with age until becoming a striking, vivid yellow. Initially umbilicate in shape, but the center becomes depressed as the specimen matures, eventually becoming practically infundibuliform. The surface is entirely smooth and dry, slightly pruinose at most, and the margin, which is very thin, remains involute until an advanced stage of development, afterwards becoming smooth and undulate.

Lamellae dense, white, strongly decurrent on the stipe and even anastomosing at the point of attachment, extending downwards to form distinct ridges.

Stipe well-proportioned or elongated, basally attached to the stipes of other specimens, solid and white, traversed by subtle ridges caused by the decurrent extension of the lamellae onto it.

Flesh somewhat tough, white, elastic, with a mild odor and a sweet, pleasant taste.

Habitat:

A species that can be found in nature on stumps and fallen logs, but is of tropical or subtropical origin; in our region it is typically encountered in cultivation, as it has been grown for commercial purposes for several years. We have no record of occurrences in our territory outside of cultivation sites, unlike Pleurotus ostreatus, which is easily found in the wild. It exhibits caespitose growth.

Observations:

We thank Catalina Fernández, manager of "Hifas da terra", for providing the photographed specimens. This fungus is characterized by the striking yellow color adopted by its pileus, its anastomosing lamellae that extend markedly onto the stipe, and its pleasant taste. These distinguishing features make it a practically unmistakable species, as other congeners exhibit very different coloration. Contrary to widespread belief, it is not a species closely related to Pleurotus ostreatus, the oyster mushroom sold in trays at supermarkets, but rather a variety of Pleurotus cornucopiae, or horn of plenty.