Trichoglossum hirsutum is a type of fungus — specifically one of the so‑called “earth tongue” mushrooms in the family Geoglossaceae. (Wikipedia)
🍄 What It Is
- It’s a small, club‑shaped fungus that usually grows a few centimeters tall with a slender, velvety black or dark brown body. (Wikipedia)
- The name hirsutum comes from Latin meaning “hairy,” referring to the fine hair‑like projections (setae) on its surface. (Wikipedia)
🌍 Common Names
Depending on where it’s found, it’s often called:
- Hairy earthtongue
- Black earth tongue
- Velvety earth tongue
- Shaggy earth tongue (Wikipedia)
📍 Where It Lives
This fungus grows on the ground in grasslands, mossy areas, or woodland floors in parts of Europe, North America, Africa, and some Atlantic islands. It’s more noticeable in late summer to autumn. (Wikipedia on IPFS)
🔬 Identification
- It looks like a small black club or tongue emerging from the ground. (English Fungi)
- The stem and upper portion are covered in very fine hairs visible under magnification. (First Nature)
- Because many earth‑tongue fungi look similar, positive identification usually requires microscopic examination of spores and other features. (First Nature)
🍽️ Edibility
It’s reported to be edible, but the flesh is thin and tough, so it’s not considered worthwhile as a food mushroom. (Wikipedia)
🧠 Fun Fact
Trichoglossum hirsutum is the type species of its genus, meaning it’s the primary species that defines what Trichoglossum fungi are like. (Wikipedia)
If you found one and are curious about it, I can help describe how to tell it apart from look‑alike fungi — just let me know what it looked like where you found it!
