Earpick Fungus

Earpick Fungus Auriscalpium vulgare Gray (illustrated 50% life size) Cap 1–2cm across, kidney-shaped; covered with yellow-brown to chestnut or blackish hairs; thin, leathery. Stem 10–140×1–2mm, joined laterally to cap, swollen towards base; dark brown to blackish; bristly. Spines 1–3mm long; dark flesh-colour to brown at first, paler as they are dusted with the ripening spores. Spores 4.5–5.5×3.5–4.5¼, subglobose to broadly ovate, minutely spinulose; amyloid. Spore print white. Habitat on buried, decaying pine cones; all year. Frequent. Not edible.