GROWING GOURMET - Anto2ni.it

322 GROWTH PARAMETERS
pulmonariUS is usually more darkly pigmented and has spores generally not longer than lOp long
compared to the paler P populinus whose spores often measure up to l5p in length.
have mistakenly called a variety of this mushroom "Pleurotus sajor-caju".
The true Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer has been returned to the Genus Lentinus by Pegler (1975),
and is now called Lentinus sajor-caju (Fr.) Fries. Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Sing. has a distinct veil, a
persistent ring on the stem, and trirnitic or dimitic hyphae composing the flesh. (P pulmonarius is
monomitic.)In light of this new information, Singer's remark inTheAgaricales in Modern Taxonomy
(1986, p. 178) concerning the similarity of P sajor-caju and the likelihood of its sharing synonymy
with Lentinus dactyliophorus
and Lentinus ieucochrous is now understandable. He was describing a
mushroom completely different than the one cultivators grow in United States and Europe and have
been calling "P sajor-caju".
The name "P sajor-caju" has been mis-applied so frequently that confusion will likely reign for a
considerable time. Many of the scientific papers published on the extraordinary yields of "P sajorcaju"
on straw, cotton wastes,
coffee residues (ad infinitum) are
undoubtedly referring to a strain of P
pulmonarius. (See Hilber (1989), p.
246). Since the name has become so entrenched by cultivators,
naming a new variety, i.e.
Pleurotuspulmoflarius var. sajor-caju seems like a good compromise. Until
then, cultivators should refrain from calling this commercially cultivated Oyster mushroom
"Pleurotus sajor-cajU", as it is incorrect.
Description: Cap convex at first, expanding to broadly convex, eventually flat or upturned and often
wavy in age. 5-20 cm (+) in diameter. Grayish white to beige to lilac grey to grey-brown, sometimes
with pinkish or orangish tones. (At high temperatures, the cap is lighter in color. Under the same light
conditions, under cold conditions, the cap becomes very dark gray to grayish black.) Cap margin
smooth to undulating like an Oyster. Color varies according to the strain, lighting, and temperature
conditions. Stems are typically
eccentrically attached to the cap. Veil absent. Flesh generally thin.
Strains of this mushroom rarely form clusters of more than 5 or 6 mushrooms.
Distribution: Widely reported from North America and Europe.
Natural Habitat: In the eastern United States, this mushroom primarily decomposes hardwoods
while in the western regions, the species can be found at middle elevations (1200-3000 meters) on
conifers (Abies and Picea). Common in the spring and summer.
Microscopic Features: Spores white to yellowish to lavender grey when dense, more or less cylindrical,
7.5-11 x 3-4 p. Clamp connections present. Hyphal system monomitic.
Available Strains: Plentiful, available from most all culture libraries, and frequently mis-labelled
as "Pleurotus sajor-caju". A nearly sporeless strain, known as "3300 INRA-Somycel",
produces about 1/100th of the spore load of normal strains, but is less productive. (See
Imbernon & Houdeau, 1991). The development for high yielding, low sporulating strains of
Pleurotus is essential to limit the impact spores have on the health of workers.
Mycelial Characteristics: White, linear, becoming cottony, and eventually forming a thick, peelable,
mycelial mat. If cultures on agar media or on grain are not transferred in a timely fashion (i.e.
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