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Spathularia flavida

Pers.

Yellow earth tongue

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) Andrew, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Andrew

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) L Joan Heyding, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by L Joan Heyding

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) Svetlana Nesterova, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Svetlana Nesterova

Spathularia flavida, commonly known as the yellow earth tongue, the yellow fan, or the fairy fan, is an ascomycete fungus. It produces a small, fan- or spoon-shaped fruit body with a flat, wavy or lobed cream to yellow colored "head" raised on a white to cream stalk. It is usually 2–5 cm (3⁄4–2 in) tall. The spores produced by the fungus are needle-like, and up to 95 μm long. Several varieties have been described that differ largely in their microscopic characteristics. The fungus fruits on the ground in mosses, forest duff or humus, and fruit bodies may occur singly, in large groups, or in fairy rings. It is found in coniferous forests of Asia, Europe and North America. It has been described by authorities variously as inedible, of unknown edibility, or edible but tough.

Description

A temperate mushroom in the family Geoglossaceae, also known as the yellow earth tongue.

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Edible Uses

The mushroom fungus is eaten.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Alaska, North America, USA,

Synonyms

Spathularia clavata

References (1)

  • Guild, B., 1979, The Alaskan Mushroom Hunter's Guide. Alaska Northwest Publishing Company. p 240