Otidea onotica

Otidea onotica
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Ascomycota
Class:	Pezizomycetes
Order:	Pezizales
Family:	Pyronemataceae
Genus:	Otidea
Species:	O. onotica
Binomial name
Otidea onotica (Pers.) Fuckel, 1870
Synonyms
Peziza onotica Pers. 1801

Otidea onotica, commonly known as hare's ear or donkey ear, is a species of apothecial fungus belonging to the family Pyronemataceae.

The fruiting body appears from spring to early autumn as a deep cup split down one side and elongated at the other, up to 10 centimetres (4 inches) tall. ^[1] It is yellow to orangish or slightly pinkish. White hairs cover the outside, while the inside is smooth or rippled. ^{[1] [2]}

Similar species include Guepinia helvelloides , others of the genus Otidea , as well as some of Pezizaceae family. ^[2]

Otidea onotica occurs in Europe and North America, singly or in small groups ^[2] on the soil of deciduous woodland, most often with beech trees.

Although some have listed it as edible, according to one study it contains the toxin monomethylhydrazine. ^[3]

References

1. Montarnal, Pierre (1967). Mushrooms, A Guide to Toadstools and Other European Fungi. Hamlyn. p. 156.
2. Audubon (2023). Mushrooms of North America. Knopf. p. 40. ISBN   978-0-593-31998-7.
3. Arora, David (1986) [1979]. Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi (2nd ed.). Berkeley, California: Ten Speed Press. pp. 832–33. ISBN   978-0-89815-170-1.

Further reading

Otidea onotica Mycological characteristics
	Smooth hymenium
	No distinct cap
	Hymenium attachment is irregular or not applicable
	Lacks a stipe
	Ecology is mycorrhizal
	Edibility is poisonous

• Jordan, Michael (2004). The Encyclopedia of Fungi of Britain and Europe. Frances Lincoln Publishers. p. 40. ISBN   978-0-7112-2379-0.
• Buczacki, Stefan (1992). Collins Guide to Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and Europe. HarperCollins. p. 219. ISBN   0-00-219978-5.
• Otidea onotica at Species Fungorum