''Peziza varia'', commonly known as the Palomino cup or recurved cup, is a species of

fungus A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from th ...

in the genus ''

Peziza ''Peziza'' is a large genus of saprophytic cup fungi that grow on the ground, rotting wood, or dung. Most members of this genus are of unknown edibility and are difficult to identify as separate species without use of microscopy. The polyphyleti ...

'', family

Pezizaceae The Pezizaceae (commonly referred to as cup fungi) are a family of fungi in the Ascomycota which produce mushrooms that tend to grow in the shape of a "cup". Spores are formed on the inner surface of the fruit body (mushroom). The cup shape typ ...

Description

''Peziza varia'' can be identified by its growth on rotted wood or wood chips, its brown upper surface (at maturity) that is usually somewhat wrinkled near the center; a whitish and minutely fuzzy under surface; a round, cuplike shape when young, and a flattened-irregular shape when mature; attachment to the wood under the center of the mushroom, rather than under the whole cup; thin, brittle flesh (rather than thick and gelatinous) and smooth, elliptical spores that lack oil droplets.Mushroom Expert website
/ref> The cup at first is pale brown or whitish overall, the under surface minutely fuzzy and the upper surface smoother, with a tiny stem-like structure. In maturity it is flattened-irregular or bent backwards, 2–12 cm across, the margin often splitting, upper surface brown and smooth, often "pinched" or somewhat wrinkled over the center, under surface whitish and minutely fuzzy, attached to the substrate centrally, without a stem. It has no odor. The flesh is brownish or pale, and brittle. ''Peziza'' means a sort of mushroom without a root or stalk. Microscopic features:

Spores In biology, a spore is a unit of sexual or asexual reproduction that may be adapted for dispersal and for survival, often for extended periods of time, in unfavourable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many plants, algae, f ...

11–16 x 6–10

µm The micrometre ( international spelling as used by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures; SI symbol: μm) or micrometer (American spelling), also commonly known as a micron, is a unit of length in the International System of Unit ...

; smooth; elliptical; without oil droplets.

Asci ASCI or Asci may refer to: * Advertising Standards Council of India * Asci, the plural of ascus, in fungal anatomy * Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative * American Society for Clinical Investigation * Argus Sour Crude Index * Association of ...

eight-spored; up to 225 x 15 µm.

Similar species

Similar species include ''

Peziza arvernensis ''Peziza arvernensis'' is a species of apothecial fungus belonging to the family Pezizaceae. This fungus appears as brown cups, often in small groups, on soil in broad-leaved woodland, especially with beech. The ascocarp An ascocarp, or ascom ...

'', '' P. domiciliana'', '' P. vesiculosa'', and '' P. violacea''. ''

Peziza repanda ''Peziza varia'', commonly known as the Palomino cup or recurved cup, is a species of fungus in the genus ''Peziza'', family Pezizaceae. Description ''Peziza varia'' can be identified by its growth on rotted wood or wood chips, its brown upper ...

'', ''

Peziza cerea ''Peziza cerea'', commonly known as the Cellar Cup is a species of ascomycete fungus in the genus ''Peziza'', family Pezizaceae. In common with other ascomycetes the upper surface of the fungus has a layer of cylindrical spore producing cells cal ...

'' and ''

Peziza micropus ''Peziza micropus'' is a species of apothecial fungus belonging to the family Pezizaceae. This European fungus is found on rotting wood, especially beech and elm and tends to thrive in the aftermath of outbreaks of Dutch elm disease. The ascocarp ...

'' are synonyms.

Ecology

Well decayed logs may sport the Palomino cup fungus, which is

saprobic Saprotrophic nutrition or lysotrophic nutrition is a process of chemoheterotrophic extracellular digestion involved in the processing of decayed (dead or waste) organic matter. It occurs in saprotrophs, and is most often associated with fungi (f ...

, usually on the wood of hardwoods. Soil rich in decayed wood and occasionally that which is covered with wood chips may support Palomino cup; growing alone, gregariously, or in clusters. This member of the cup fungi is commonly found in colder weather (spring and autumn in temperate regions), but sometimes appearing in summer.

Edibility

''Peziza varia'' is nonpoisonous but inedible.Roger Philip's Mushrooms

Distribution

''Peziza varia'' is widely distributed throughout America and Europe.

References

External links

Wild about Britain
* {{Taxonbar, from=Q2511517 Pezizaceae Fungi described in 1789 Fungi of North America Fungi of Europe Inedible fungi