Peziza or Otidea ?

[Lancashire Lad]

Found several small groups of these yesterday, growing amongst leaf litter in predominantly Fagus area.

Largest fruitbodies approx 50-60mm across

Initially thought possibly Peziza repanda, but colouration seems slightly astray from descriptions given in thje books that I have, and also not showing any signs of toothed margins.

Could they be something like Hare's Ear - Otidea onotica? - They all seem to be showing the irregular shape with vertical overlapping split down one side.

Any thoughts on ID appreciated as usual.



Regards,
Mike.

[Chris Yeates]

it's a genus I don't have a lot of experience in - wait for Andreas here - but I would say definitely Otidea . . . . Otidea alutacea comes to mind

cheers

Chris

[Lancashire Lad]

Thanks Chris, I hope Andreas sees this!

Regards,
Mike.

[mollisia]

Hello Mike,

the easiest way to tell is to make a squash mount in Melzers or Lugols reagent and to look at the ascus tips: blueing is Peziza - not blueing is, well, no Peziza
Just only looking at the fotos, I couldn't decide. The first foto looks indeed like Otidea (cochleata supposingly), but the 2nd one only the ochraceous apothecium looks like an Otidea. The 4 other one look very much like Peziza succosa or may be another Peziza.
So - I fear only the microscope will tell what you have there and whether it is only one species or two.

best regards,
Andreas

[Lancashire Lad]

Thanks for your reply Andreas, much appreciated.

Unfortunately I didn't collect specimens, and only occasionally have access to a microscope.
And even when I do I hardly know one end of it from the other , so these will have to go in the very large UFO file on my computer. (Unidentified Fungal Objects ).

Best regards,
Mike.