Branching Oyster Pleurotus cornucopiae (Paulet) Rolland (illustrated 40% life size) Cap 5–12cm across, convex then depressed to funnel-shaped, often becoming wavy or cracked at the margin; cream at first and covered in a whitish bloom, then smooth and tinged ochraceous, finally ochre-brown. Stem 20–50×10–25mm, frequently excentric; usually several fused into a common base; whitish, becoming tinged with cap colour. Flesh white; taste pleasant, smell of flour or ammonia. Gills deeply decurrent; white to pale flesh. Spores 8–11×3.5–5¼, subcylindrical. Spore print pale lilac. Habitat in dense clusters on the cut stumps of deciduous trees, usually elm or oak; spring to autumn. Common. Edible.
