Oyster
Pleurotus ostreatus, the beginner's jackpot — shelf-like caps on dead hardwood.
Know it
Oysters grow in shelf-like clusters on dead or dying hardwood — beech, aspen, maple. The caps are broad and fan-shaped, grey to brown to nearly white, and the gills run all the way down the short, off-centre stem.
Where & when
host dead hardwood, logs, stumps season autumn through winter range temperate, worldwide spore white to lilac-grey
Why it's a good first find
Oysters have few serious lookalikes and are easy to spot from a trail. They're also forgiving in the pan — mild, tender, and good in everything.