MushieShiitake (Lentinula edodes)
Edible (expert ID)
Shiitake is a brown, umbrella-shaped mushroom with cream gills, mainly sold cultivated. It is cooked, never eaten raw.
| Scientific name | Lentinula edodes |
|---|---|
| Other names | Shiitake · Pasania fungus · 椎茸 |
| Family | Omphalotaceae |
| Season | Year-round |
| Habitat | Hardwood logs (cultivated); wild on dead broadleaf trees in East Asia |
| Range | Native to East Asia; cultivated worldwide |
| Spore print | White |
| Smell | Savoury, slightly smoky |
How to identify Shiitake
| Cap | Tan to dark brown, 5–12 cm, often cracked with white flecks |
|---|---|
| Underside | Cream gills, sometimes with brown spotting |
| Stem | Tough, fibrous, tan |
| Smell | Savoury, slightly smoky |
| Spore print | White |
Is Shiitake edible or poisonous?
Edible (expert ID). Edible when cooked. Eating raw or undercooked shiitake can cause an itchy skin rash (shiitake dermatitis) in some people.
Shiitake look-alikes
Wild shiitake are rare outside East Asia. Do not assume any brown woodland mushroom is shiitake.
When does Shiitake grow?
Shiitake is typically found Year-round in hardwood logs (cultivated); wild on dead broadleaf trees in east asia. See other mushrooms in season:
Frequently asked questions
Is Shiitake edible?
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is regarded as edible by field guides when it has been correctly identified and properly cooked. Edible when cooked. Eating raw or undercooked shiitake can cause an itchy skin rash (shiitake dermatitis) in some people. Never eat a wild mushroom based on an app or a website. Confirm identification and edibility in person with a qualified local expert.
What does Shiitake look like?
Tan to dark brown, 5–12 cm, often cracked with white flecks. Underside: cream gills, sometimes with brown spotting. Stem: tough, fibrous, tan.
What are the look-alikes of Shiitake?
Wild shiitake are rare outside East Asia. Do not assume any brown woodland mushroom is shiitake.
When and where does Shiitake grow?
Shiitake is usually found all year. Habitat: hardwood logs (cultivated); wild on dead broadleaf trees in East Asia. Range: Native to East Asia; cultivated worldwide.
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Related species
Sources and credits: written from standard field-guide references. Further reading: Wikipedia: Lentinula edodes. Last updated 2026-10-22. Editorial policy.