# 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!

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Wooded areas
- **Also known as:** Black Mushroom, Shiitake Mushroom

![Shiitake](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424298/objects/5089.jpg)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Basidiomycota
- **Class:** Agaricomycetes
- **Order:** Agaricales
- **Family:** Omphalotaceae
- **Genus:** Lentinula

## 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

- **Wood Decomposer:** Shiitake can break down tough wood because of special enzymes, which helps recycle nutrients back into the forest soil.
- **Immunity Booster:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/japanese-maple) (*Acer palmatum*) — Feeds on the decaying wood of this tree species.
- **Eaten by:** [Leopard Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard-slug) (*Limax maximus*) — These slugs are known to feed on wild Shiitake mushrooms.

## Traits

- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Spore Producing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spore-producing): Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Edible Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible-mushroom): This trait refers to fungal species that are safe for human consumption when properly identified and prepared.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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

### What color are Shiitake spores?

White

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Oyster Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/oyster-mushroom) (*Pleurotus*)

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Source: [Shiitake: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake)