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Mushroom Monday: The Late Fall Oyster (Panellus serotinus)
As fall slips into winter and the forest quiets, a surprising burst of color and texture can still be found clinging to bark-covered logs in mountainous or northern woods. This week’s Mushroom Monday features Panellus serotinus, commonly known as the Late Fall Oyster. Also called olive oystering or Mukitake, this cold-weather fungus is a hardy decomposer of dead hardwood—sometimes even turning up on hemlocks.
A Cool-Season Look-Alike
At a glance, the Late Fall Oyster resembles a typical oyster mushroom, but look closer and its unique features set it apart. Often appearing in clusters, these semicircular mushrooms can range in size from under an inch to more than four inches across. The cap may be flat or slightly depressed in the center, and while it often begins with a yellow-orange hue, it matures into a rich olive green. In some cases, the cap surface can be sticky, and older specimens may show fine fibers near the point of attachment.
Gills and Growth Habit
Panellus serotinus is saprophytic, breaking down dead wood and contributing to forest nutrient cycles by causing white rot. It specifically favors pieces of wood that still retain their bark. The gills are a standout feature—orange to yellow with brown edges, closely spaced, and often extending slightly down the short or absent stem. In some mushrooms, the gills radiate directly from the base, while in others they run partway down a stem that varies in color from white to orange.
The gills are also described as “thick” and the mushroom flesh as rubbery—adaptations that may help it persist into colder months when other fungi have disappeared.
Where and When to Spot It
The Late Fall Oyster can be found in North America and Europe, particularly in mountainous or northern regions. As its name suggests, it typically emerges late in the season—showing up in the final weeks of fall and into early winter, just when it seems like mushroom season is over.
If you found this information about the Late Fall Oyster mushroom (Panellus serotinus) helpful, check out our other posts on our TrueTreeTalk blog, including our Mushroom Monday posts. Follow us on Facebook to keep up with these and other posts. Check out our list of blog posts grouped by topic for more to read. Also, follow us on LinkedIn for industry-related posts.
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