Trichoglossum hirsutum is a species of fungus in the family Geoglossaceae, commonly referred to as hairy earthtongue or black earth‑tongue because of its dark, tongue‑like fruiting body with a velvety, bristly surface. (en.wikipedia.org)
🔍 Overview
- Scientific name: Trichoglossum hirsutum (Pers.) Boud.
- Common names: hairy earthtongue, velvety black earth‑tongue, shaggy earth‑tongue. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Kingdom: Fungi (Ascomycota)
- Family: Geoglossaceae (en.wikipedia.org)
🍄 Appearance
- The fruiting body is club‑shaped or tongue‑like, typically 3–8 cm tall and dark brown to black.
- The stem and head have tiny bristly hairs (setae) that give a velvety texture, visible with a hand lens.
- The upper fertile section is slightly enlarged and spore‑bearing, tapering down into a slender stalk. (en.wikipedia.org)
🧪 Microscopic Features
- Produces 8 spores per ascus (sac‑like structure).
- Spores are long and multi‑septate (divided internally), typically dark brown, which helps with identification under a microscope. (Wikipedia)
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
- Found in grasslands, mossy areas, woodlands, or leaf litter, often solitary or in small groups.
- Widely distributed in Europe and North America, and also reported in parts of Africa and Macaronesia. (Wikipedia)
🍽️ Edibility
- Generally considered inedible or of no culinary interest due to its tough texture; not known as a choice edible mushroom. (englishfungi.org)
🧠 Notes
- It’s part of a group of fungi known as earth tongues, which can look similar and often require microscopy for positive identification. (fungi.myspecies.info)
If you’re curious about how to distinguish it from similar earthtongue fungi or where it fits in an ecosystem, I can explain that too—just let me know!
