Pig's Ears - Gomphus clavatus

Two-lobed cap arising from a common stem. The undersurface was deeply wrinkled with crossveins.

Habitat: Mixed forest with pine and eastern hemlock

comments (6)

morpheme

Lion

I've been going through this species, because the common name messed it up a bit- scooped up a bunch of unrelated stuff that were also called 'pig's ears' and I noticed this one. I'm pretty sure it's not G. clavatus - as the veins are always purple. It's an odd looking example - flat like that and so pale... it could be a weird Turbinellus floccosus, I suppose.. Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  After seeing yours, I have serious doubts that my ID is correct. I do have additional shots that show purple on the underside near the base though. I will upload those as well. I had this mushroom identified on Mushroom Observer and they are usually accurate, but I can post it in a FB group as well to get other opinions. Your spotting just looks so different (and incredibly gorgeous!). Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. morpheme
    
    Lion
    
    Maybe it is correct then - just old. It may have just faded? This is the first time I've seen this one, so I'm not sure how it ages. Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Maybe? I'm not really sure, but am just relying on others for the ID here. I uploaded a shot of the base. Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. morpheme
        
        Lion
        
        Wow - with that last shot, I totally retract that... it does look like G. Clavatus. I never would have guessed that's how an old one would look. It really flattened right out and faded didn't it. Maybe I have seen these before and just mistook them for a different species! Posted 6 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Oh, neat! Thanks for the input. It's good to know what it looks like aged, but I much prefer your specimen <3. Posted 6 years ago

The Pig's Ears

''Gomphus clavatus'', commonly known as pig's ears or the violet chanterelle, is an edible species of fungus in the genus ''Gomphus'' native to Eurasia and North America. The fruit body is vase- or fan-shaped with wavy edges to its rim, and grows up to 15–16 cm wide and 17 cm tall. The upper surface or cap is orangish-brown to lilac, while the lower spore-bearing surface, the hymenium, is covered in wrinkles and ridges rather than gills or pores, and is a distinctive purple color. Described.. more

Info 4 0

Similar species: Gomphales

Species identified by Christine Young