Discina ancilis
Discina ancilis, commonly known as pig's ears[1][2][3] is a brown to tannish, wrinkled, cup- or ear-shaped fungus, sometimes with short, stout stalk. The spores of D. ancilis are quite similar to those of mushrooms in the genus Gyromitra, so that some mycologists classify it there.
| Discina ancilis | |
|---|---|
| Fruit bodies found in eastern Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Siskiyou Co., California | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Pezizomycetes |
| Order: | Pezizales |
| Family: | Discinaceae |
| Genus: | Discina |
| Species: | D. ancilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Discina ancilis (Pers.) Sacc. (1889) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
List
| |
| Discina ancilis | |
|---|---|
| Smooth hymenium | |
| Cap is umbilicate | |
| Hymenium is decurrent | |
| Stipe is bare | |
| Spore print is brown | |
| Ecology is saprotrophic | |
| Edibility is not recommended or edible | |
Description
The cup measures 2–10 centimetres (3⁄4–4 inches) wide;[4] 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 0.5–1 cm (1⁄4–3⁄8 in) long and thick; it is brownish-tan in color.
Microscopic characteristics
The spores are 30–35 x 12–14 μm, spindle shaped, minutely warted, with three oil drops and knobs at each end, located in the cup.
Similar species
Disciotis venosa is more deeply veined, and has smooth spores; it is typically found in deciduous woods. Other similar species of Discina must be differentiated microscopically. Peziza repanda is also similar.[4] In the Pacific Northwest, D. leucoxantha and D. olympiana are similar.[5]
Distribution and habitat
It is found singularly or in groups, on humus or rotten wood in coniferous areas; near melting snowbanks in western mountains. It is found in temperate areas of North America.[5] It comes into fruiting from May–July.
Edibility
It is considered edible by some authors,[6] but not others;[7] it can be confused with other potentially toxic species.[6] It should be cooked before consumption.[4]
References
- "Pig's Ears (Gyromitra ancilis)". Ninaturalist.nz. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
- "Discina ancilis (Pers.) Sacc. 1889". EOL. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
- "Discina perlata". EOL. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
- Davis, R. Michael; Sommer, Robert; Menge, John A. (2012). Field Guide to Mushrooms of Western North America. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 404–405. ISBN 978-0-520-95360-4. OCLC 797915861.
- Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. p. 289. ISBN 978-0-88192-935-5.
- Miller Jr., Orson K.; Miller, Hope H. (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, CN: FalconGuides. p. 506. ISBN 978-0-7627-3109-1.
- Phillips, Roger (2010). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 364. ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.
- Lincoff, GH National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms. Chanticleer Press, Inc. 1981 p. 331 ISBN 978-0-394-51992-0