Earpick Fungus; Conifer-cone Tooth
Not an uncommon fungus but difficult to spot, this tooth fungus dwells on conifer cones and particularly favors cones of Douglas Fir. It is a fall species that emerges soon after the fall rains start and persists for a lengthy period on its substrate. It is usually solitary but may occurs in pairs or even several on a cone. It is most often encountered when found nearby a larger species that has attracted one's attention. A pleasure to find, the caps will persist for months after appearing. Caps are only 1-3 cm across, brown to reddish brown in color with a pale margin when fresh. Caps are reniform to round in shape and nearly always attached off-center to the stipe. The cap surface is flat to convex, dry and fuzzy with hairs when fresh. The fertile surface features short dense spines that are grayish white or sometimes tinged brownish. Stipes are dry, fuzzy, reddish brown to light brown, cylindrical, sturdy and typically fairly straight, attaching laterally and causing a small hump in the cap where attached. They are 3-6 cm tall. The flesh is tough and scant. The species we have in the PNW differs genetically from its European lookalike and will likely gain a new name at some point. There is no distinct odor or taste. It is not a fungus to be consumed. Toxicity is unknown.