Mushrooms by colour · 15 species
Grey mushrooms
The best-known grey mushroom is the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), an edible species. But the grey-toned livid pinkgill and devil's bolete are poisonous, so grey is not a sign of safety.
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Inedible
Artist’s bracket
Ganoderma applanatum
Polyporaceae
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Inedible
Barometer earthstar
Astraeus hygrometricus
Diplocystidiaceae
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Edible species
Black trumpet
Craterellus cornucopioides
Cantharellaceae
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Inedible
Clouded funnel
Clitocybe nebularis
Clitocybaceae
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Poisonous
Common ink cap
Coprinopsis atramentaria
Psathyrellaceae
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Poisonous
Devil’s bolete
Rubroboletus satanas
Boletaceae
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Inedible
Fiery milkcap
Lactarius pyrogalus
Russulaceae
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Inedible
Grey knight
Tricholoma terreum
Tricholomataceae
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Poisonous
Livid pinkgill
Entoloma sinuatum
Entolomataceae
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Edible species
Maitake
Grifola frondosa
Grifolaceae
Cultivable
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Edible species
Oyster mushroom
Pleurotus ostreatus
Pleurotaceae
Cultivable
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Inedible
Split gill
Schizophyllum commune
Schizophyllaceae
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Inedible
Stubble rosegill
Volvopluteus gloiocephalus
Pluteaceae
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Inedible
Tinder fungus
Fomes fomentarius
Polyporaceae
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Inedible
Turkey tail
Trametes versicolor
Polyporaceae
This page brings together mushrooms with grey tones on the cap, from the cultivated and wild oyster mushroom to the clouded funnel and grey knight of the woods.
Edible, inedible and poisonous species all appear among grey mushrooms, so gill colour, spore print, stem and habitat are judged together.
Colour alone does not show edibility.
Grey mushrooms: edible or poisonous, and when?
| Mushroom | Status | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Artist’s bracketGanoderma applanatum | Inedible | Mar, May, Jul–Oct |
| Barometer earthstarAstraeus hygrometricus | Inedible | Dec–Jan, Mar–Apr |
| Black trumpetCraterellus cornucopioides | Edible species | Aug–Jan |
| Clouded funnelClitocybe nebularis | Inedible | Oct–Jan |
| Common ink capCoprinopsis atramentaria | Poisonous | Oct–Jan, Mar–May |
| Devil’s boleteRubroboletus satanas | Poisonous | Jul–Oct |
| Fiery milkcapLactarius pyrogalus | Inedible | Aug–Nov |
| Grey knightTricholoma terreum | Inedible | Oct–Mar |
| Livid pinkgillEntoloma sinuatum | Poisonous | Aug–Dec |
| MaitakeGrifola frondosa | Edible species | Aug–Oct |
| Oyster mushroomPleurotus ostreatus | Edible species | Oct–Mar |
| Split gillSchizophyllum commune | Inedible | Oct–May |
| Stubble rosegillVolvopluteus gloiocephalus | Inedible | Oct–Feb |
| Tinder fungusFomes fomentarius | Inedible | All year |
| Turkey tailTrametes versicolor | Inedible | All year |
The status column is a guide and is not enough to decide to eat a mushroom. Do not eat a wild mushroom unless an expert has seen it in person. Edible mushrooms · Poisonous mushrooms
Grey-toned poisonous species
The livid pinkgill (Entoloma sinuatum) has a grey-white cap; its gills turn pink with age and it leaves a pink spore print. It causes severe gastrointestinal poisoning.
The devil's bolete (Rubroboletus satanas) has a grey-white cap and red pores and is poisonous. The clouded funnel is also not eaten, as it upsets the stomach of many people.
If poisoning is suspected in Türkiye, call 112 or the National Poison Information Centre (114) straight away, and keep a piece of the mushroom if you can.
- Common ink cap Coprinopsis atramentaria Poisonous
- Devil’s bolete Rubroboletus satanas Poisonous
- Livid pinkgill Entoloma sinuatum Poisonous
Grey mushroom species
Grey-toned species in this encyclopedia: the edible oyster mushroom, maitake and black trumpet; the inedible clouded funnel, grey knight, fiery milkcap, stubble rosegill, turkey tail, tinder fungus and split gill; and the poisonous livid pinkgill and devil's bolete. Each has its own page.
Is the grey knight edible?
Sources disagree on the grey knight (Tricholoma terreum): some list it as edible, others advise against it after reports of muscle damage. This site does not recommend it as edible.
Frequently asked questions
Are grey mushrooms edible?
Grey mushrooms vary by species: the grey oyster mushroom and maitake are edible, while the livid pinkgill and devil's bolete are poisonous. Do not eat a wild grey mushroom without expert identification.
Are grey mushrooms poisonous?
Some grey mushrooms are poisonous: the livid pinkgill and devil's bolete are grey-toned and poisonous. Grey alone is neither a warning nor a sign of safety.
Which mushrooms are grey?
In this encyclopedia: the oyster mushroom, maitake, black trumpet, clouded funnel, grey knight, livid pinkgill and devil's bolete, among others.
What is a grey oyster mushroom?
A grey oyster mushroom is the grey-capped form of the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). It is edible, cultivated and grows wild on tree trunks.
Is the grey knight poisonous?
The grey knight's edibility is disputed; some sources advise against it after reports of muscle damage. This site does not recommend it as edible.
Is the clouded funnel edible?
The clouded funnel (Clitocybe nebularis) was once considered edible, but it upsets the stomach of many people and is now treated as inedible.
What is a grey mushroom with pink gills?
A grey mushroom with pink gills may be the livid pinkgill (Entoloma sinuatum). It is poisonous; its gills turn pink with age and it leaves a pink spore print.
I ate a grey mushroom. What should I do?
If poisoning is suspected in Türkiye, call 112 or the National Poison Information Centre (114) straight away, and keep a piece of the mushroom if you can.
Sources
- Wikipedia (EN): Pleurotus ostreatus en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia (EN): Entoloma sinuatum en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia (EN): Tricholoma terreum en.wikipedia.org
All sources (5)
- Wikipedia (EN): Clitocybe nebularis en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia (EN): Rubroboletus satanas en.wikipedia.org
Other colours
Last updated: Prepared by the Poros Mantar editorial teamReport a correction