''Discina perlata'', commonly known as pig's ears is a brown to tannish, wrinkled, cup- or ear-shaped

fungus A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from th ...

, sometimes with short, stout stalk. The

spore In biology, a spore is a unit of sexual or asexual reproduction that may be adapted for dispersal and for survival, often for extended periods of time, in unfavourable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many plants, algae, f ...

s of ''D. perlata'' 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 that some

mycologist Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungus, fungi, including their genetics, genetic and biochemistry, biochemical properties, their Taxonomy (biology), taxonomy and ethnomycology, their use to humans, including as a so ...

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 long and thick; it is brownish-tan in color. It is considered edible by some authors, but not others; it can be confused with other potentially toxic species. It should be cooked before consumption.

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 ''Disciotis venosa'', commonly known as the bleach cup, veiny cup fungus, or the cup morel is a species of fungus in the family Morchellaceae. Fruiting in April and May, they are often difficult to locate because of their nondescript brown color. ...

'' 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 ''Peziza varia'', commonly known as the 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 wood chips, its brown upper ...

'' is also similar. In the

Pacific Northwest The Pacific Northwest (sometimes Cascadia, or simply abbreviated as 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 ...

, ''D. leucoxantha'' and ''D. olympiana'' are similar.

Habitat and distribution

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

coniferous Conifers are a group of cone-bearing seed plants, a subset of gymnosperms. Scientifically, they make up the division Pinophyta (), also known as Coniferophyta () or Coniferae. The division contains a single extant class, Pinopsida. All extant ...

areas; near melting snowbanks in western mountains. It is found in temperate areas of North America. It comes into fruiting from May–July.

References

* Lincoff, GH ''National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms.'' Chanticleer Press, Inc. 1981 p. 331 Discinaceae {{Pezizomycetes-stub