Scientific Classification Of Oyster Mushroom| classification Of Oyster Fungi |  Pleurotus ostreatus  Mushroom Classification Pleurotus is a genus of gilled mushrooms which includes one of the most widely eaten mushrooms, P. ostreatus.  Species of Pleurotus may be called oyster, abalone, or tree mushrooms, and are some of the most commonly cultivated edible mushrooms in the world. Pleurotus fungi have also been used in the mycoremediation of pollutants, such as petroleum and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Oyster Mushroom Etymology The genus name Pleurotus literally means side ear in reference to the mushroom caps being laterally attached to the substrate.  It is a composite of the Ancient Greek words πλευρά : pleurá - side, and the stem -oto referring to ears Description The caps may be laterally attached (with no stipe).  If there is a stipe, it is normally eccentric and the gills are decurrent along with it. The term pleurotoid is used for any mushroom with this general shape. The