Toad’s Ear

Toad’s Ear Otidea bufonia (Pers.) Boud. (illustrated 40% life size) Cup 1–7cm across, cup-shaped, becoming irregularly wavy and splitting at one side; inner surface dark brown, outer slightly paler, minutely downy. Flesh brown; thin. Spores 13–15×6.5–7¼, elliptical-fusiform, containing 2 oil drops. Asci 160–200×10–12¼, not blued by iodine. Paraphyses slender, strongly curved at tip. Habitat on roadsides and in woodland; late summer to early autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.