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Dictyophora Indusiata
"Veiled Oyster, Bamboo Fungus"
Dictyophora Indusiata fruiting bodies
Scientific Classification
Kingdom:Fungi
Division:Basidiomycota
Class:Agaricomycetes
Order:Phallales
Family:Phallaceae
Genus:Dictyophora
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Veiled Oyster?
- Veiled Oyster (Dictyophora Indusiata) is a mushroom species, belonging to the Phallaceae family. It is studied for its biological characteristics and is documented in the ShroomSpy mycology database.
- Is Veiled Oyster edible?
- edible
- What is the scientific classification of Veiled Oyster?
- Veiled Oyster belongs to the kingdom Fungi, division Basidiomycota, class Agaricomycetes, order Phallales, family Phallaceae, genus Dictyophora. Its scientific name is Dictyophora Indusiata.
About
Dictyophora indusiata, also known as the Veiled Oyster, Bamboo Mushroom, or Bridal Veil Fungus, is a striking and unusual mushroom belonging to the stinkhorn family. It is prized in Asian cuisine for its texture and flavor, and in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Its lacy white skirt-like structure (indusium) and phallic fruiting body make it instantly recognizable and culturally symbolic.
History
Revered in Chinese traditional medicine and cuisine, D. indusiata has been consumed for centuries as both a delicacy and a tonic mushroom, believed to promote gut health, immunity, and blood circulation. It appears in ancient Chinese texts and is still cultivated today in regions like China, Vietnam, and Thailand, often in bamboo forests.
In culinary use, it's typically dried and rehydrated in soups and stir-fries. It is also known for being nutritious, low in calories, and rich in polysaccharides.
Overview
The fruiting body consists of a white stalk topped with a bell-shaped cap that exudes a foul-smelling slime (gleba) to attract insects for spore dispersal. Hanging from the cap is a beautiful lacy white net or veil (indusium) that gives the fungus its name. The mushroom grows from an egg-like sac and emerges rapidly—sometimes within hours.
Although the cap and gleba are discarded due to the odor, the indusium and stalk are edible and contain bioactive compounds with potential antibacterial, immune-regulating, and antioxidant benefits.
Flavors
Sweet
Subtle sweet taste
Textures
Tender
Soft when cooked, but not mushy
Fibrous
Stringy, fibrous structure
Fragrances
Pleasant
Mild, vaguely floral scent
Floral
Sweet, perfume-like aroma
Physical Characteristics
Caps:
Conical to bell-shaped, 5-15 cm tall. White to yellow-brown with cottony veil.
Gills:
Decurrent, white, crowded.
Pharmacology
Helps With
Immune System
Polysaccharides can stimulate immune response
Veiled Oyster Products
Explore Veiled Oyster products from independent vendors
Similar Species
Species: Phallus indusiatus
(Veiled Lady)
Edibility: Edible and prized. Known as bamboo fungus (zhusheng) in Chinese cuisine, where the rinsed, dried fruiting body is a valued culinary delicacy. The foul-smelling olive spore slime (gleba) on the cap must be washed away before eating; once cleaned, the species is non-toxic and considered a choice edible.
Key Differences: Foul odor, lacks veil over cap
Species: Phallus indusiatus
(Veiled Lady)
Edibility: Edible and prized. Known as bamboo fungus (zhusheng) in Chinese cuisine, where the rinsed, dried fruiting body is a valued culinary delicacy. The foul-smelling olive spore slime (gleba) on the cap must be washed away before eating; once cleaned, the species is non-toxic and considered a choice edible.
Key Differences: Foul odor, lacks veil over cap
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
Amount Per Serving
Calories
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.4 g1%
Saturated Fat 0 g0%
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg0%
Sodium 18 mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 6.1 g2%
Dietary Fiber 2.3 g8%
Total Sugars 1.1 g
Protein 3.3 g7%
Vitamin A 0 µg 0%•Thiamin B1 0.1 mg 8%
Riboflavin B2 0.3 mg 23%•Niacin B3 5 mg 31%
Vitamin B6 0.1 mg 6%•Folate B9 38 µg 10%
Vitamin B12 0 mg 0%•Vitamin C 0 mg 0%
Vitamin D 29 µg 145%•Vitamin E 0 mg 0%
Vitamin K 0 µg 0%•Calcium 0.3 mg 0%
Copper 0.2 mg 22%•Iron 1.3 mg 7%
Magnesium 18 mg 4%•Manganese 0.1 mg 4%
Phosphorus 120 mg 10%•Potassium 420 mg 9%
Selenium 2.6 µg 5%•Zinc 0.8 mg 7%
Vit A 0 µg 0%•B1 0.1 mg 8%
B2 0.3 mg 23%•B3 5 mg 31%
B6 0.1 mg 6%•B9 38 µg 10%
B12 0 mg 0%•Vit C 0 mg 0%
Vit D 29 µg 145%•Vit E 0 mg 0%
Vit K 0 µg 0%•Calcium 0.3 mg 0%
Copper 0.2 mg 22%•Iron 1.3 mg 7%
Mg 18 mg 4%•Mn 0.1 mg 4%
Phosph. 120 mg 10%•Pot. 420 mg 9%
Selenium 2.6 µg 5%•Zinc 0.8 mg 7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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References
- Loc, P. (2023). The relationship between mycelial growth and fruit body’s yield of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) collected from southern Vietnam. .
- Zhang, Y. (2023). Chemical Constituents of the Mushroom Dictyophora indusiata and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activities. .
- Park, Y. (2021). Identification of the Antidepressant Function of the Edible Mushroom Pleurotus eryngii. .
- Kumari, S. (2021). Enhanced growth and yield of oyster mushroom by growth-promoting bacteria Glutamicibacter arilaitensis MRC119. .
- Urek, R. (2019). Production and partial characterization of the exopolysaccharide from Pleurotus sajor caju. .
- Taofiq, O. (2018). Mushroom-based cosmeceutical ingredients: Microencapsulation and in vitro release profile. .
- Sun, Y. (2017). Antioxidant, antitumor and immunostimulatory activities of the polypeptide from Pleurotus eryngii mycelium. .
- Ramakrishnan, M. (2017). Investigation of Lovastatin, the Anti-hypercholesterolemia Drug Molecule from Three Oyster Mushroom Species. .
- Kojima, M. (2015). Regulation of primary metabolic pathways in oyster mushroom mycelia induced by blue light stimulation: Accumulation of shikimic acid. .
- Owaid, M. (2015). Antimicrobial Activity of Mycelia of Oyster Mushroom Species (Pleurotus spp.) and Their Liquid Filtrates (In Vitro). .