''Discina ancilis'', commonly known as pig's ears is a brown to tannish, wrinkled, cup- or ear-shaped
fungus
A fungus (: fungi , , , or ; or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and mold (fungus), molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as one ...
, sometimes with short, stout
stalk.
Taxonomy
The
spore
In biology, a spore is a unit of sexual reproduction, sexual (in fungi) or asexual reproduction that may be adapted for biological dispersal, dispersal and for survival, often for extended periods of time, in unfavourable conditions. Spores fo ...
s of ''D. ancilis'' are quite similar to those of mushrooms in the genus ''
Gyromitra
''Gyromitra'' () is a genus of about 18 species of ascomycete fungi. They are a false morel - a frequently toxic mushroom that can be mistaken for edible mushrooms of the genus ''Morchella'' (morels).
Taxonomy
The name ''Gyromitra'' comes from ...
'', so some
mycologist
Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their taxonomy, genetics, biochemical properties, and use by humans. Fungi can be a source of tinder, food, traditional medicine, as well as entheogens, poison, and ...
s classify it there.
Description
The cup measures wide,
with a disc-like, whitish exterior, and a dark brown to tan interior. The cup is often wrinkled to convoluted, with the edges turned downward. The flesh is brittle.
The stipe (when present) is up to long and 3 cm thick; it is whitish to brownish in color.
Microscopic characteristics
The spores are 25–35 x 11–16
μm
The micrometre (Commonwealth English as used by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures; SI symbol: μm) or micrometer (American English), also commonly known by the non-SI term micron, is a unit of length in the International System ...
, spindle shaped, minutely roughened, with a large central oil drop and two smaller ones at each end.
Similar species
''
Disciotis venosa'' is more deeply veined, and has smooth spores; it is typically found in deciduous woods. Other similar species of ''
Discina
DisCina was a French film production and film distribution, distribution company established in 1938 by Michel Safra and André Paulvé. It reached its peak during the 1940s and early 1950s, remaining active during the Occupation of France.
It al ...
'' must be differentiated microscopically. ''
Peziza repanda
''Peziza varia'', commonly known as the spreading brown cup fungus, Palomino cup or recurved cup, is a species of fungus in the genus ''Peziza'', family Pezizaceae.
Description
''Peziza varia'' can be identified by its growth on rotted wood or ...
'' is also similar.
In the
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest (PNW; ) is a geographic region in Western North America bounded by its coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains to the east. Though no official boundary exists, the most common ...
, ''D. leucoxantha'' and ''D. olympiana'' are similar.
It also resembles ''
Gyromitra melaleucoides''.
Distribution and habitat
It is found singularly or in groups, on
humus
In classical soil science, humus is the dark organic matter in soil that is formed by the decomposition of plant and animal matter. It is a kind of soil organic matter. It is rich in nutrients and retains moisture in the soil. Humus is the Lati ...
or rotten wood in
conifer
Conifers () are a group of conifer cone, cone-bearing Spermatophyte, seed plants, a subset of gymnosperms. Scientifically, they make up the phylum, division Pinophyta (), also known as Coniferophyta () or Coniferae. The division contains a sin ...
ous areas; near melting snowbanks in western mountains. It is found in temperate areas of North America.
It comes into fruiting from May–July.
Edibility
It is considered
edible
An edible item is any item that is safe for humans to eat. "Edible" is differentiated from " eatable" because it does not indicate how an item tastes, only whether it is fit to be eaten. Nonpoisonous items found in nature – such as some mushroo ...
by some authors,
but not others;
it can be confused with other potentially toxic species.
It should be cooked before consumption.
References
*
Lincoff, GH ''National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms.'' Chanticleer Press, Inc. 1981 p. 331
Discinaceae
Fungus species
Taxa named by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon
{{Pezizomycetes-stub