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292 GROWTH PARAMETERS
Pleurotus cystidiosus O.K. Miller
Introduction: This mushroom and its close allies have a unique biology and are by far the most
interesting of all the Oyster mushrooms. The asexual stage appears to be a "contaminant" to most
cultivators. In fact, species in this group are
dimorphic—havillg a sexual and asexual life cycle. A
nearly identical species, Pleurotus abalonus, is commercially cultivated in Asia, particularly Taiwan
and Thailand. Pleurotus
cystidiosus was first described by Dr. Orson K. Miller in 1969 from a maple
in Indiana.
Common Names: The Abalone Mushroom
The Maple Oyster Mushroom
Miller's Oyster Mushroom
Taxonomic Synonyms and Considerations: Pleurotus cystidiosus shares greatest similarity, from a
cultural viewpoint, P. abalonus Han, Chen & Cheng andP smithii Guzman, and may well be conspecific
with these two taxa. Hilber (1989) believes that a combination of features can delimit P.
abalonus from P cystidiosus.
P. abalonus has a cap which is darker in color, white pileocystidia and brown cheilocystidia
whereas P. cystidiosus has a cap lighter in color, translucent brownish pileocystidia and thin-walled
hyaline cheilocystidia.
Furthermore, Hilber states these taxa can be further delineated by spore size.
interfertility and DNA studies should clarify the question of synonymy between
P cystidiosus, P abalonus & P smithii.
Figure 265. Two strains of P. cysiidio.sus growing on malt extract agar media.
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