Gomphus clavatus




Gomphus clavatus, commonly known pig's ears or violet chanterelle, as is an edible species of fungus in the genus Gomphus, family Gomphaceae native to Eurasia and North America. The fruit body is vase- or fan-shaped with wavy edges to its rim, and grows up to 15 cm (6 in) wide and 17 cm (6 ⁄4 in) tall. The upper surface or cap is orangish-brown to lilac, while its lower spore-bearing surface, the hymenium, is covered in wrinkles and ridges rather than gills or pores, and is a distinctive purple color. Described by Jacob Christian Schäffer in 1774, G. clavatus has had several name changes and many alternate scientific names, having been classified as a chanterelle by several authorities, though it is not closely related to them.