Help identify

[Chulse]

From what I can find I believe these are oyster mushrooms but I am new to the game and would appreciate any help. Also, any tips for beginners!

Thank you!

[Dave W]

It's not typical for Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus species) to be found seemingly growing on the ground, although I have seen this a few times. What appears to be a terrestrial growth habit is due to the mushrooms growing from buried wood. But...

The gills seen here appear to be tightly-spaced and quite shallow. I think these mushrooms may be a young cluster of Hohenbuehelia petaloides. Mushrooms of this species often have a shoe-horn shape when mature. H. petaloides has (finely) fringed gill edges. This species often grows from buried wood. 

Pleurotus mushrooms have gills that are broader, with even edges, and not so tightly spaced. A close examination of the gills may be a key here; or a photo that zooms in a little closer to the gills. Also, Oyster Mushrooms generally have a pleasant odor; some people describe it as anise-like, some describe it as like an ocean breeze. The odor of Hohenbuehelia petaloides is either indistinct or slightly mealy. 

If these are Oyster Mushrooms, then they are likely the species Pleurotus ostreatus (based upon the grayish cap color). Spore print color for some species of Pleurotus is white, but P. ostreatus has a pale grayish/lilac spore print. This subtle color is best seen by taking the spore print on a non-porous white surface. H. petaloides has a white spore print. 

It would be interesting to see if additional information provides a more definitive ID for these. I'd bet on the Hohenbuehelia proposal.

Lentinellus cochleatus is also somewhat similar, bur usually with thinner flesh that has an unpleasant peppery taste and noticeably serrated/toothed gill edges.