Peziza Sp or similar, ID help please.

earthdragon64 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 11:03 AM

I saw this whilst walking in a pine forest just north of Aviemore on Monday. It was in a small group on the edge of the track, this one was almost 5cm at the widest point. I think it's a Peziza species, but I'm not sure which one, or if it's even possible to ID further than that just from the photo.

Any help is appreciated.

Regards, Audrey.

cybershot · #2 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earthdragon64

I saw this whilst walking in a pine forest just north of Aviemore on Monday. It was in a small group on the edge of the track, this one was almost 5cm at the widest point. I think it's a Peziza species, but I'm not sure which one, or if it's even possible to ID further than that just from the photo.

Any help is appreciated.

Regards, Audrey.

A look at references under Otidea species may be a good starting point Audrey.

Good luck

David

earthdragon64 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybershot

A look at references under Otidea species may be a good starting point Audrey.

Good luck

David

My books don't have too many Otidea species, but doing a google images search shows that Otidea alutacea is quite variable, so it may be that one, assuming that they aren't all misidentified.

Ditiola · #4 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 06:59 PM

Hi
The only dark one I have ever found is O.bufonia (Toad's Ear). It gets its name from the outside surface of the fruit body resembling the skin of a toad. You will need a magnifying glass to see it, although on some specimens the surface is sometimes smooth, but if the bumpy toad skin is visible it is a give-away and easier that checking spores etc. with a microscope

Peter