Gomphus clavatus, pig's ears or the violet chanterelle, is an ectomycorrhizal fungus of conifer forests, especially with spruces and firs. Its vase- to fan-shaped fruit bodies often arise in clusters from a shared stem, with a wrinkled, violet underside in place of gills. It is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere but has declined in Europe, where it is Red Listed in 17 countries and extinct in the British Isles.
Edible, but opinions vary: some rate it choice, others find it bland, and some people report stomach upset. Flesh turns bitter with age and old specimens are often infested. It can accumulate cadmium. Look-alike: the scaly-capped Turbinellus floccosus causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in some people.
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Habitat
Mycorrhizal with conifers, especially spruces and firs (also hemlock, Douglas-fir, pines), and in Europe reportedly beech; moist, shady sites with deep litter. Summer and fall; winter and spring on the West Coast.
Distribution
Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Pakistan and others), Europe (declining; Red Listed in 17 countries, extinct in the British Isles since 1927) and North America (Canada, the US and Mexico), where it is abundant in the Pacific Northwest and occurs in northern and montane regions.
Characteristics
Cap: Vase- to fan-shaped, up to about 15-20 cm across, with wavy, lobed margins; pale brown, lilac or orange-brown, fading to creamy tan; smooth or finely scaly. Undersurface: Wrinkled, folded and decurrent, dark lilac to purple when young, fading to pale lilac or brown. Stem: Solid, 1-3 cm wide, whitish below and lilac near the top, often shared by several caps. Flesh: Whitish to pinkish or pale lilac, may bruise reddish brown. Spore print: Yellow to orange-yellow (brownish per MushroomExpert). Spores: 10-15 x 4-7.5 um, elliptical, wrinkled or warted. Key features: Clustered lilac fruit bodies with a wrinkled violet underside.
