26 October 2013 Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Common Name Toad's Ear Fruiting Body Cup shaped, split down one side, inner surface smooth, dark brown, outer surface paler, to about 7 cm across Flesh Brown, brittle Smell Indistinct Taste Indistinct Season Late summer to autumn Distribution According to the literature this species is rare. However, in my experience it is rather common, more so than the similar Peziza badia Habitat In woods, and unimproved grassland Spore Print White Microscopic Features Spores ellipsoidal, 2 oil drops (13-15) x (6.5-7) µm2 Edibility Inedible Notes Bufonia means 'toad-like'. This species could be confused with Peziza badia. 
14 October 2005 Oxfordshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
October 2001 Surrey. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
Spores viewed with a x100 immersion microscrope objective and x2.5 projection eyepiece. 26 October 2013 Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. |