Jump to content

Discina ancilis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Discina ancilis
Fruit bodies of Discina perlata found in Eastern Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Siskiyou Co., California
Fruit bodies found in eastern Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Siskiyou Co., California
Scientific classification Edit this 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
  • Peziza ancilis Pers. (1822)
  • Aleuria ancilis (Pers.) Gillet (1879)
  • Acetabula ancilis (Pers.) Lambotte (1880)
  • Helvella ancilis (Pers.) Quél. (1886)
  • Gyromitra ancilis (Pers.) Kreisel (1984)
  • Peziza perlata Fr. (1822)
  • Discina perlata (Fr.) Fr. (1849)
  • Peziza repanda var. perlata (Fr.) Quél. (1886)
  • Gyromitra perlata (Fr.) Harmaja (1969)
Discina ancilis
View the Mycomorphbox template that generates the following list
Smooth hymenium
Cap is umbilicate
Hymenium is decurrent
Stipe is bare
Spore print is brown
Ecology is saprotrophic
Edibility is not recommended or edible

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.

Description

[edit]

The cup measures 2–10 centimetres (34–4 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 (1438 in) long and thick; it is brownish-tan in color.

Microscopic characteristics

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]
  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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b 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.
  6. ^ a b 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.
  7. ^ Phillips, Roger (2010). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 364. ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.