How to identify Brown Ear-Rot

To correctly identify Brown Ear-Rot (Otidea alutacea), check each of these features in order. Misidentification is the most common cause of mushroom poisoning, so cross-reference multiple sources.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Cap

   Shape, color, surface texture, and diameter.

   Not applicable as it is an ascomycete with cup-shaped fruiting bodies, not a traditional cap-and-stem mushroom.

2. 2

   Gills

   Attachment to stem, color, and spacing.

   Not applicable as Otidea alutacea is an ascomycete and does not produce gills. Spores are produced on the inner surface of the cup.

3. 3

   Stem

   Length, shape, surface, and any ring.

   A true stem is absent; however, the fruiting body often narrows to a short, sometimes wrinkled, stem-like base that is buried in the substrate and usually paler than the cup itself.

4. 4

   Flesh

   Color, texture, and bruising reaction.

   The flesh is thin, brittle, and concolorous with the fruiting body's surface, often a pale tan or whitish. It is not generally consumed.

5. 5

   Fruiting body

   Overall growth pattern.

   The fruiting body is typically ear-shaped, cup-shaped, or sometimes rabbit-ear shaped, splitting on one side. It can be irregular, often convoluted, and measures 2-8 cm in height and 2-6 cm across. The inner surface (hymenial surface) is smooth, becoming finely granular with age, and varies from pale ochre to tan, dull brown, or cinnamon. The outer surface is often paler, pruinose (finely powdered), and may have minute hairs or a velvety texture, sometimes with a whitish base extending into a short, rudimentary stem-like structure.

6. 6

   Habitat

   Where it grows and on what substrate.

   Typically found growing gregariously or in scattered clusters on the ground, often on decaying wood (though appearing terrestrial), mossy soil, or leaf litter, particularly under deciduous and coniferous trees.

Key Facts

Cap surfaces

Inner surface (hymenium) smooth, outer surface pruinose or finely pubescent.

Growth Form

Cup or ear-shaped, frequently splitting on one side.

Spore Print

White.

Body color

Pale ochre to tan, dull brown, or cinnamon.

Odor

Indistinct or slightly earthy.

Flesh bruises

Does not bruise.

Height

2-8 cm

Cap Diameter

2-6 cm across (referring to the width of the cup-like body)

Fruit body characteristics

• Gill attachment: Not applicable (ascomycete, no gills).
• Stem shape: Rudimentary, constricted base, often furrowed.
• Stem surface: Pruinose or finely hairy, paler than the cup.
• Ring: Absent.
• Stem cross-section: Solid, rudimentary.

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