Species details
Giant club
Clavariadelphus pistillaris
Conditional / expert preparation
Photo: Tatiana · CC BY 4.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A large simple club-shaped fungus without a cap, yellow-ochre to brownish; edible when young but uncommon and better observed.
Identification features
The fruitbody can reach about 20 cm, club-shaped, widening upward and lacking a true cap. The surface is yellowish to ochre-brown and becomes wrinkled with age.
Identification checklist
Check the large club shape without a cap, rounded top and uniformly yellow-ochre surface.
How to separate similar species
Clavariadelphus truncatus has a distinctly flattened or depressed top; C. ligula is much smaller. Rare club fungi are best left in place.
Habitat
Grows in deciduous and mixed woodland, often with beech on calcareous soils, in summer and autumn.
Fruiting period
July, August, September, October
Similar species
- Truncated club (Clavariadelphus truncatus)
- Clavariadelphus ligula
- Pig's ears (Gomphus clavatus)