Auriscalpium vulgare

Ear Pick Fungus, Pine Cone Tooth

Auriscalpium vulgare, the earpick fungus, is a small tooth fungus that grows from fallen conifer cones, mostly pine. It has a kidney-shaped brown cap on a hairy stem attached at one side, with short spines underneath.

Species profile

Edibility

Not edible

Not edible - too small and tough

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Mycology is an evolving science: names, classifications and safety information change as research advances. Entries are compiled from cited sources and reviewed, but may be incomplete or out of date — check the sources, and never rely on this library alone to identify or eat a mushroom.

Habitat

On fallen, often partly buried, pine cones, especially Scots pine; in California mainly on Douglas-fir cones; also reported on spruce cones and needles.

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Characteristics

Cap: 0.5-2 cm (rarely to 4 cm); semicircular to kidney-shaped; dark chestnut brown and finely hairy, becoming smooth and darker with age; paler, inrolled, wavy margin. Underside: spines up to about 3 mm long; whitish to light brown, becoming ash-grey to brown. Stem: 2-8 cm tall; attached at the edge of the cap; covered in dark brown hairy fibres; bulbous base. Spore print: White.

Species profile

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