Gomphus clavatus

Gomphus clavatus is an edible species of fungus in the genus Gomphus, family Gomphaceae.

Due to a substantial decline in sightings, Gomphus clavatus became a legally protected species in Hungary on September 1, 2005.

Gomphus clavatus is edible (and rated as choice by some), although like many edible fungi, consumption may cause gastrointestinal distress in susceptible individuals.

The pig's ear Gomphus, species Gomphus clavatus, is similar in shape and form but fleshier, and light violet to pink.

In Europe, Gomphus clavatus appears on the national Red Lists of threatened fungi in 17 countries and is one of 33 species proposed for international conservation under the Bern Convention.

Kauffman believed the species to be merely "a very extreme growth condition" of Cantharellus clavatus (now known as Gomphus clavatus) and suggested there was no reason for transferring the species to the genus Craterellus.

The basidiocarps, or fruit bodies, of immature Gomphus clavatus are club-shaped and have one cap or pileus, but later spread out and have a so-called merismatoid appearance-several vase-shaped caps rising from a common stem.

Gomphus clavatus has been reported from Austria, Canada, China, the Czech Republic,France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Korea, Mexico, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the USA.

Gomphus clavatus has been reported as forming symbiotic (mycorrhizal) associations with a variety of trees: Abies alba, Abies firma, Abies nephrolepsis, Abies religiosa, Picea species, Pinus densiflora, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Tsuga heterophylla.