Otidea onotica

[ Ascomycetes > Pezizales > Pyrenemataceae > Otidea . . . ]

by Michael Kuo

This cup fungus and its close relatives, members of the genus Otidea, are characteristically split down one side, resulting in a folded cup shape. Much is made in keys to Otidea of whether the cup shape is reminiscent of an erect rabbit ear, or is more truncated and cuplike--but this "character" is difficult to assess, and microscopic examination is often required to identify species.

Otidea onotica is supposed to be one of the "rabbit-ear species" rather than one of the "chopped-off, split goblet" species. More reliable characters include its brownish yellow colors, the rosy tinge on the inner surface, its clustered growth, and microscopic characters (see below).

Otidea onotica may contain the same toxins found in false morels (see Mushroom Toxins); it should not be eaten.

Description:

Ecology: Saprobic, growing terrestrially in woods under hardwoods or conifers; often clustered, but occasionally growing alone or scattered; summer and fall (winter and spring in warmer areas); widely distributed in North America.

Fruiting Body: Spoon-shaped, ear-shaped, or cuplike, with a cleft down one side; up to 10 cm high and 6 cm across; inner surface yellowish to orangish, often with rose or pink areas; outer surface similarly colored but lacking pink or rose shades, often finely fuzzy; stem if present whitish, small, and rudimentary. Odor none. Flesh pale yellowish; brittle.

Microscopic Features: Spores 12-14 x 6-7 µ; smooth; elliptical; with one or two oil droplets. Asci eight-spored; up to 200 x 11 µ. Paraphyses narrow, usually with hooked or curved ends (see illustration).

REFERENCES: (Persoon, 1801) Fuckel, 1869. (Fries, 1822; Seaver, 1928; Kanouse, 1949; Smith, Smith & Weber, 1981; Arora, 1986; Barron, 1999.) Herb. Kuo 09110415.

Further Online Information:

Otidea onotica at Roger's Mushrooms
Otidea onotica at Fungi of Poland

Hooked paraphysis

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Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2006, April). Otidea onotica. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/otidea_onotica.html.