Sarah Brown
Gomphus clavatus, commonly known as pig's ear or the violet chanterelle, is an edible species of fungus. It was first described by Jacob Christian Schäffer in 1774 and is typically found in coniferous forests in Eurasia and North America. The pig's ear mushroom is characterised by its vase- or fan-shaped fruit body with two or more caps that resemble a pair of ears when the mushroom is mature and dropping its spores. The upper surface or cap is typically orangish-brown to lilac, while the lower spore-bearing surface is a distinctive purple colour with wrinkles and ridges. Pig's ear mushrooms can be found in the fall on the East Coast and Pacific Northwest of the United States, and in the winter in coastal California.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Pig's ear, violet chanterelle |
| Scientific name | Gomphus clavatus |
| Colour | Fawn-brown, lilac, purple, orangish-brown |
| Texture | Wrinkled, wavy |
| Shape | Vase- or fan-shaped |
| Size | 15–16 cm wide, 17 cm tall |
| Taste | Bland, earthy, meaty, bitter |
| Edibility | Edible, but may cause gastric upset |
| Habitat | Coniferous forests in Eurasia and North America, particularly pine forests |
| Seasonality | Fall on the East Coast and in the Pacific Northwest, winter in coastal California |
| Conservation status | Threatened in 17 European countries, legally protected in Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia, regarded as extinct in the British Isles |
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What You'll Learn
- Piglet mushroom, or Gomphus clavatus, is edible and has an earthy flavour and meaty texture
- It is commonly known as pig's ears due to its appearance
- It is usually found in coniferous forests in Eurasia and North America
- Piglet mushrooms are under threat due to human destruction of their habitat
- They are legally protected in Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia
Piglet mushroom, or Gomphus clavatus, is edible and has an earthy flavour and meaty texture
Gomphus clavatus, commonly known as pig's ears or piglet mushroom, is an edible species of fungus. It was first described by Jacob Christian Schäffer in 1774 and has since been classified under various scientific names. G. clavatus is characterised by a vase- or fan-shaped fruit body with a distinctive purple hue and wavy edges. The upper surface, or cap, can range from orangish-brown to lilac, while the lower spore-bearing surface, known as the hymenium, is covered in wrinkles and ridges.
G. clavatus typically grows in coniferous forests in Eurasia and North America, particularly in moist, shady areas with deep leaf litter or rotten wood debris. It has a preference for coniferous partners, especially fir and spruce trees, and can often be found in pine groves. This mushroom usually grows singly, in clusters, or even in fairy rings, and is considered easy to identify due to its unique appearance and lack of lookalikes.
The piglet mushroom is known for its earthy flavour and meaty texture, making it a suitable accompaniment to red meat dishes. It is highly regarded in the culinary traditions of various cultures, including the Zapotec people of Mexico and the Sherpa people of Nepal. When cooked, G. clavatus retains its firm, resilient texture and loses only a minimal amount of water.
While G. clavatus is edible, it is important to note that, as with many edible fungi, consumption may cause gastrointestinal distress in certain individuals. Additionally, older specimens may become bitter or infested with insects, so it is important to select young, fresh mushrooms for consumption.
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It is commonly known as pig's ears due to its appearance
Gomphus clavatus, commonly known as pig's ears, is an edible species of fungus. It was first described by Jacob Christian Schäffer in 1774 and has since undergone several name changes. The mushroom is characterised by its vase- or fan-shaped fruit body with two or more caps that resemble a pair of piggy ears. The top of the mushroom is typically fawn-brown to orangish-brown, with wrinkled, lilac-coloured false gills, while the underside is a distinctive purple colour.
G. clavatus is mycorrhizal, meaning it lives symbiotically with trees. It is typically found in coniferous forests in Eurasia and North America, particularly in spruce and fir forests. In Europe, G. clavatus is considered a threatened species and appears on the national Red Lists of 17 countries. It is legally protected in Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia and is considered extinct in the British Isles.
The mushroom has an earthy flavour and meaty texture, making it a good accompaniment to red meat dishes. However, some people find it bland or unpalatable, and it can cause gastrointestinal distress in susceptible individuals. G. clavatus is also known as the violet chanterelle due to its purple hue. It is relatively easy to identify as it has few look-alikes and is reasonably common.
G. clavatus can be found in the fall on the East Coast of the United States and in the Pacific Northwest, often growing in fairy rings or clusters. In coastal California, it fruits in the winter, preferring moist, shady areas with deep leaf litter or rotten wood debris. While it is generally considered edible, older specimens may be bitter or infested with insects, so it is important to properly identify and prepare this mushroom before consumption.
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It is usually found in coniferous forests in Eurasia and North America
Gomphus clavatus, commonly known as pig's ear or the violet chanterelle, is a distinctive mushroom that is edible. It is usually found in coniferous forests in Eurasia and North America. In the US, it is found in the central states and westward. In Europe, it is found in Spain and North Africa. It is also found in the British Isles, where it was last sighted in 1927 and is now considered extinct.
G. clavatus is mycorrhizal, meaning it lives symbiotically with trees. The mycelium of mycorrhizal species form a network of fungus that attaches to tree roots, with each partner organism trading resources with the other. This mushroom favours coniferous partners, notably fir and spruce, but it is also found in pine groves. It prefers moist, shady areas with deep leaf litter or rotten wood debris.
G. clavatus is typically found in the fall, although it fruits in the winter in coastal California. It can be identified by its fawn-brown top with wrinkled, lilac-coloured false gills. The fruit body is vase- or fan-shaped with wavy edges, growing 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 is a distinctive purple colour.
G. clavatus is considered a tasty treat by some, while others find it bland or unappetizing. It has an earthy flavour and meaty texture, making it suitable for red meat dishes. However, consumption may cause gastrointestinal distress in susceptible individuals, and older specimens may be infested with insects.
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Piglet mushrooms are under threat due to human destruction of their habitat
Piglet mushrooms, or Gomphus clavatus, commonly known as pig's ears due to their shape, are under threat. This distinctive fungus is edible and has a pleasing texture, with an earthy flavour and meaty texture that suits red meat dishes. It is also known as the violet chanterelle due to its purple hue.
G. clavatus is native to coniferous forests in Eurasia and North America, particularly those with spruce and fir trees. It is mycorrhizal, meaning it lives symbiotically with trees, with its network of fungus attaching to tree roots and trading resources. It is typically found in moist, shady areas with deep leaf litter or rotten wood debris.
However, G. clavatus is facing a loss and degradation of its habitat due to human destruction and the need for more land. It is now considered extinct in the British Isles, and it is legally protected in Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia. It also appears on the national Red Lists of threatened fungi in 17 European countries and is proposed for international conservation under the Bern Convention.
The decline in sightings and substantial threat to its habitat mean that these mushrooms are under significant threat. Eutrophication, or increased nitrates in the soil, is another potential danger to their survival. Human activity is a key driver of this threat, highlighting the vulnerability of this unique fungus.
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They are legally protected in Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia
Piglet mushrooms, or Gomphus clavatus, are commonly known as pig's ears due to their appearance. They are edible mushrooms with a distinctive look, making them easy to identify. They have a vase- or fan-shaped fruit body with two or more ear-like caps and wavy edges. The top of the mushroom is usually fawn-brown to orangish-brown, while the underside is a distinctive purple colour with wrinkles and ridges. They are mycorrhizal, meaning they live symbiotically with trees, and are typically found in coniferous forests in Eurasia and North America, favouring moist, shady areas with deep leaf litter or rotten wood debris.
G. clavatus is now a legally protected species in Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia due to its vulnerable status. It appears on the national Red Lists of threatened fungi in 17 European countries and is considered extinct in the British Isles, where it has not been sighted since 1927. The species faces loss and degradation of its habitat, and increased nitrates in the soil (eutrophication) pose another potential threat. The German Mycological Society selected G. clavatus as the 1998 "Pilz des Jahres" (Mushroom of the Year) to highlight its vulnerable status.
G. clavatus is considered a tasty treat by some, while others find it bland or unpalatable. It has an earthy flavour and meaty texture that pairs well with red meat. It is also used in traditional Latin American and Latin Michoacan taco recipes, where it is chopped and stewed. However, like many edible fungi, consumption may cause gastrointestinal issues in some individuals. G. clavatus has a high antioxidant activity and a high concentration of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, making it valuable for medicinal purposes.
The distinctive appearance of G. clavatus, with its ear-like shape and purple hues, makes it a unique and recognisable species. Its edibility and medicinal properties further contribute to its significance. The legal protection granted to G. clavatus in Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia aims to preserve and protect this vulnerable species, ensuring its survival for future generations.
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Frequently asked questions
A piglet mushroom is the common name for Gomphus clavatus, a distinctive, edible species of fungus that grows in coniferous forests in Eurasia and North America.
The piglet mushroom is characterised by its vase- or fan-shaped fruit body with two or more ear-like caps. The top of the mushroom is usually fawn-brown to orangish-brown, while the underside is a distinctive purple colour.
The name piglet mushroom comes from the fact that the mature mushroom with its ear-like caps looks a bit like a pair of piggy ears.
Piglet mushrooms are typically found in coniferous forests, favouring moist, shady areas with deep leaf litter or rotten wood debris. They are often found in pine forests, near spruce and fir trees.
The piglet mushroom is an edible species of fungus, though some people find it bland or unappetising. It has an earthy flavour and meaty texture that pairs well with red meat dishes. However, as with many edible fungi, consumption may cause gastrointestinal distress in susceptible individuals.
