The inedible/poisonous
Tapinella atrotomentosa differs in that it has a thick, sturdy stem (sometimes laterally attached), the stem base is covered in velvety brown fuzz, the gills form a separable layer, and it grows on conifer wood.
Tapinella panuoides, of unknown edibility, differs in that the cap is smaller (2-7 cm broad), the gills often become ruffled or wavy near the base, the spore deposit is brownish, and it grows on conifer wood. A number of inedible species of
Lentinellus are superficially similar in appearance but differ in that the gills are serrated. Other look-alikes that are inedible or of unknown edibility include various members of
Crepidotus,
Hohenbuehelia and
Panellus; they differ in that they are relatively small (under 6 cm broad). The common name "oyster mushroom" also refers to several other edible species of
Pleurotus. The edible
Pleurotus pulmonarius and
Pleurotus dryinus differ in that they have a stalk-like stem that is more centrally attached. The edible
Pleurotus populinus differs in that it is smaller (under 9 cm broad), has a white spore print, fruits earlier in the spring, and grows only on
aspens and
cottonwoods.
See also the edible
Pleurocybella porrigens.