Shiitake

Lentinula

Shiitake Mushrooms have a unique shape and a strong flavor. They are often used in Asian cooking and are loved for their delicious taste!

Habitat: Wooded areas

Appearance

The Shiitake has a cap that ranges from light to dark brown, often with white or tan scales. Its gills underneath are creamy white and packed closely. It often grows in clusters, emerging from decaying wood.

KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderAgaricalesFamilyOmphalotaceaeGenusLentinula

Shiitake

Interesting facts

It's the second most popular cultivated mushroom worldwide, after button mushrooms!

Shiitake mushrooms have been grown by people for over 2,000 years in Asia!

Some Shiitake are called 'flower' mushrooms because cracks form on their caps!

These mushrooms are famous for adding a rich, savory 'umami' flavor to food!

Special abilities

Shiitake can break down tough wood because of special enzymes, which helps recycle nutrients back into the forest soil.

Shiitake has compounds like lentinan that help strengthen the body's defenses, making it a superfood!

Measurements & details

Height: 5-10 cm
Edible: edible
Size: 5-15 cm
Growth Substrate: wood
Season: Fall
Spore Color: White

Ecological connections

Depends on

Japanese Oak

Quercus serrata

Obtains nutrients by decomposing dead wood from this tree.

Depends on

Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum

Feeds on the decaying wood of this tree species.

Eaten by

Leopard Slug

Limax maximus

These slugs are known to feed on wild Shiitake mushrooms.

Traits

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Spore Producing

Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Edible Mushroom

This trait refers to fungal species that are safe for human consumption when properly identified and prepared.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Also known as

Black MushroomShiitake Mushroom

Collections

Fungi

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Shiitake?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Shiitake?

5-10 cm

Is Shiitake edible?

edible

How big is Shiitake?

5-15 cm

Where is Shiitake usually found?

Wooded areas

What does Shiitake grow on?

wood

When is Shiitake in season?

Fall