Pleurotus dryinus is a white, shell shaped fungus that grows on the old trunks of oaks. It has wide, decurrent grills. The stipe is short and lateral. Pleurotus dryinus relates to the farmed Pleurotus ostreatus and to P.eryngii, both appreciated species. P.dryinus is also edible except its tough stipe. Its Catalan name orellana de suro meaning Pleurotus of cork refers to the body consistency of old individuals, not to that it can grow on cork oaks. Despite oaks are common in the district of Bages, P.dryinus is not frequent, neither acknowledged by local mushrooms seekers.
[photos Jordi Badia]