Discina perlata

Discina perlata, 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. perlata are quite similar to those of mushrooms in the genus Gyromitra, so that some mycologists classify it there.

Discina perlata
Fruit bodies of "Discina perlata" found in Eastern Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Siskiyou Co., California
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Fungi
Division:
Ascomycota
Class:
Pezizomycetes
Order:
Pezizales
Family:
Discinaceae
Genus:
Discina
Species:
D. perlata
Binomial name
Discina perlata
Synonyms
  • Peziza perlata
  • Acetabula ancilis
Discina perlata
smooth hymenium
hymenium is decurrent
stipe is bare
spore print is brown
ecology is saprotrophic
edibility: not recommended or edible

Description

The cup measures 2–10 cm (3⁄4–3+7⁄8 in) 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 (3⁄16–3⁄8 in) long and thick; it is brownish-tan in color.

It is considered edible by some authors,[5] but not others;[6] it can be confused with other potentially toxic species.[5] It should be cooked before consumption.[4]

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.[7]

Habitat and distribution

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.[7] It comes into fruiting from May–July.

References
  1. "Pig's Ears (Gyromitra ancilis)". Ninaturalist.nz. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  2. "Discina ancilis (Pers.) Sacc. 1889". EOL. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  3. "Discina perlata". EOL. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  4. 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.
  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.
  6. Phillips, Roger (2010). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 364. ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.
  7. 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.
  • Lincoff, GH National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms. Chanticleer Press, Inc. 1981 p. 331 ISBN 978-0-394-51992-0
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