Genus: Auriscalpium

Family: Auriscalpiaceae

Auriscalpium vulgare

Known Species in the County

Auriscalpium vulgare – Pinecone Tooth

Approximately 1 species in Santa Cruz County.

Auriscalpium Records from Santa Cruz County:

Mycoportal
Mushroomobserver

The single species in the county Auriscalpium vulgare apparently has a cosmopolitan distribution in the northern hemisphere. No other fungus really approaches it in appearance. Restricted to growth on conifer cones, although host range and relative abundance on different types of conifers is poorly known. In our area it is most often found on Douglas-fir cones, but also occurs on pine and very rarely on redwood.

Important identification characters include the odd stature, small size, toothed hymenium, dark color and tough texture. Given our current understanding of the genus as monotypic, local species identification is straightforward. This may change with further research.