Gomphus is a genus of cantharelloid fungi in the family Gomphaceae.[1] Once presumed to be related to chanterelles, molecular study has shown them to be allied with stinkhorns and fairy clubs. The type species of the genus is the pig's ear (G. clavatus).
Christiaan Hendrik Persoon named the genus in 1797, but did not assign any species to it at the time. The generic name is derived from the Greek 'γομφος' gomphos meaning 'plug' or 'large wedge-shaped nail'.
, Index Fungorum accepts 12 species of Gomphus:
| Image | Name | Taxon Author | Year | Distribution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gomphus brasiliensis | Corner | 1970 | South America | ||
| Gomphus brunneus | (Heinem.) Corner | 1966 | Mexico | ||
| Gomphus cavipes | Corner | 1970 | South America | ||
| Gomphus clavatus | (Pers.) Gray | 1821 | Europe, North America | ||
| Gomphus crassipes | (Kuntze) Maire | 1937 | Spain and North Africa | ||
| Gomphus ludovicianus | R.H. Petersen, Justice & D.P. Lewis | 2014 | southeastern United States | ||
| Gomphus megasporus | Corner | 1970 | Pakistan | ||
| Gomphus ochraceus | (Pat.) Singer | 1945 | |||
| Gomphus orientalis | R.H. Petersen & M. Zang | 1996 | China | ||
| Gomphus szechwanensis | R.H. Petersen | 1972 | Tibet | ||
| Gomphus thiersii | R.H. Petersen | 1971 | USA | ||
| Gomphus yunnanensis | R.H. Petersen & M. Zang | 1996 | China |
There are several undescribed species in the forests of Myrtle beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii) in Tasmania.[2] Bruce Fuhrer noticed in 1992 that the large and ornamented spores of these species resembled those of the genera Ramaria and Beenakia.[3]