Peziza repanda, commonly known as the Palamino cup or recurved cup, is a species of fungus

Fungus

A fungus is a member of a large 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, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...

 in the genus Peziza

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...

, family Pezizaceae.

Description

Peziza repanda 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 a smooth, elliptical spores that lack oil droplets.

The cup at first is pale brown or whitish overall; cup-shaped; the under surface minutely fuzzy and the upper surface smoother; with a tiny stem-like structure. In maturity flattened-irregular or bent backwards; 6–12 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. Odour none. Flesh brownish or pale; brittle.

Peziza means a sort of mushroom without a root or stalk (not accurate for P. repanda); repanda means bent backwards.

Microscopic Features: Spore

Spore

In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...

s 11-16 x 6-10 µm

Micrometre

A micrometer , is by definition 1×10-6 of a meter .In plain English, it means one-millionth of a meter . Its unit symbol in the International System of Units is μm...

; smooth; elliptical; without oil droplets. Asci

Ascus

An ascus is the sexual spore-bearing cell produced in ascomycete fungi. On average, asci normally contain eight ascospores, produced by a meiotic cell division followed, in most species, by a mitotic cell division. However, asci in some genera or species can number one , two, four, or multiples...

 eight-spored; up to 225 x 15 µm.

Ecology

Well decayed logs may sport the Palamino cup fungus, which is saprobic, usually on the wood of hardwoods. Soil rich in decayed wood and occasionally that which is covered with wood chips may support Palamino 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.

External links

• Spore release
• Wild about Britain