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 (ascoma). The cup shape typically serves to focus raindrops into splashing spores out of the cup. Additionally, the curvature enables wind currents to blow the spores out in a different manner than in most agarics and boletes.
Cup fungi grow in peculiar shapes, frequently resembling cups or saucers. For example, the orange peel fungus ( Aleuria aurantia ) resembles a discarded orange rind. According to one 2008 estimate, the family contains 31 genera and 230 species. [2]
Pezizaceae includes the following: [1]
Aleuria aurantia is a widespread ascomycete fungus in the order Pezizales. The bright orange, cup-shaped ascocarps often resemble orange peels strewn on the ground, giving this species its common name.
Terfezia is a genus of truffle-like fungi within the Pezizaceae family. Terfezia species are commonly known as desert truffles. Some authorities consider this the type genus of the family Terfeziaceae, although phylogenetic analysis suggests that it nests within the Pezizaceae. The Dictionary of the Fungi suggests that the genus contains 12 species. A recent (2011) publication used molecular analysis to show that the American Terfezia species had been incorrectly classified, and moved Terfezia spinosa and Terfezia longii to Mattirolomyces and Stouffera, respectively; as a result, no Terfezia species are known to exist in North America.
Sarcoscypha coccinea, commonly known as the scarlet elf cup, or the scarlet cup, is a species of fungus in the family Sarcoscyphaceae of the order Pezizales. The fungus, widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, has been found in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Australia. The type species of the genus Sarcoscypha, S. coccinea has been known by many names since its first appearance in the scientific literature in 1772. Phylogenetic analysis shows the species to be most closely related to other Sarcoscypha species that contain numerous small oil droplets in their spores, such as the North Atlantic island species S. macaronesica. Due to similar physical appearances and sometimes overlapping distributions, S. coccinea has often been confused with S. occidentalis, S. austriaca, and S. dudleyi.
Peziza violacea, commonly known as the violet fairy cup or the violet cup fungus, is a species of fungus in the genus Peziza of the family Pezizaceae. As both it common names and specific epithet suggest, the cup-shaped fruiting bodies are violet colored on the interior surface. P. violacea is typically found growing on burnt soil.
Lamprospora is a genus of fungi in the family Pyronemataceae.
Geopyxis carbonaria is a species of fungus in the genus Geopyxis, family Pyronemataceae. First described to science in 1805, and given its current name in 1889, the species is commonly known as the charcoal loving elf-cup, dwarf acorn cup, stalked bonfire cup, or pixie cup. The small, goblet-shaped fruitbodies of the fungus are reddish-brown with a whitish fringe and measure up to 2 centimetres across. They have a short, tapered stalk.
Sarcosphaera is a fungal genus within the Pezizaceae family. It used to be considered a monotypic genus, containing the single species Sarcosphaera coronaria, commonly known as the pink crown, the violet crown-cup, or the violet star cup. However, recent research revealed there are many species in the complex, two in Europe and North Africa, other in North America and Asia.
Ruhlandiella is a genus of fungi within the family Pezizaceae. Ruhlandiella species are exothecial hypogeous fungi, which are essentially truffles that lack the outer layer or peridium. Ruhlandiella species are widely distributed in Nothofagaceae forests in South America and near Eucalyptus or Melaleuca plants in Australia, North America, and Europe.
Plicaria is a genus of fungi within the Pezizaceae family. The genus contains about 10 species, widely distributed in temperate areas.
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 called asci, from which the ascospores are forcibly discharged.
Kalapuya brunnea is a species of truffle in the monotypic fungal genus Kalapuya. The truffle occurs only in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, in western Oregon and northern California. Known locally as the Oregon brown truffle, it was formerly thought to be an undescribed species of Leucangium until molecular analysis demonstrated that it was distinct from that genus. The truffle is reddish brown with a rough and warty outer skin, while the interior spore-producing gleba is initially whitish before developing greyish-brown mottling as it matures. Mature truffles have an odor resembling garlicky cheese, similar to mature Camembert. The species has been harvested for culinary purposes in Oregon.
Peziza phyllogena, commonly known as the common brown cup or the pig-ear cup, is a species of fungus in the family Pezizaceae. A saprobic species, the fungus produces brownish, cup-shaped fruit bodies that grow singly or in clusters on either soil or well-rotted wood. It is found in Europe, North America, and Iceland, where it fruits in the spring.
Peziza ampelina is a species of apothecial fungus belonging to the family Pezizaceae. This European fungus appears as violet-coloured cups up to 5 cm across on soil or burnt wood. The spores are quite large, with a smooth surface, unusual for the genus.
Peziza succosa is a species of apothecial fungus belonging to the family Pezizaceae. It grows in woods in Europe, Iceland, Israel, China, Argentina, and the United States. In Europe this fungus appears in summer and autumn as grey or brown saucers up to 10 cm (3.9 in) in diameter on soil in woodland, often at pathsides. In the United States, this type of cup fungi may also be found on decaying deciduous wood. It is inedible.
Peziza varia, commonly known as the spreading brown cup fungus, Palomino cup or recurved cup, is a species of fungus in the genus Peziza, family Pezizaceae.
Peziza vesiculosa, commonly known as the common dung cup, is a species of apothecial fungus belonging to the family Pezizaceae.
Plicaria endocarpoides is a species of apothecial fungus belonging to the family Pezizaceae. This is a common European fungus of burnt ground, appearing from spring to autumn as dark brownish-coloured cups up to 6 cm in diameter, usually in groups. The caps usually flatten with age.
Peziza fimeti is a species of ascomycete fungus belonging to the family Pezizaceae. Found in Europe and North America, the fungus grows on cow dung. It produces small, light brown, cup-shaped fruit bodies up to 2 cm (0.8 in) in diameter. The asci are cylindrical, with dimensions of up to 280 μm long and 18 μm in diameter. The spores are ellipsoid and measure 8 by 16 μm.
Clonostachys is a genus of fungi in the order Hypocreales and family Bionectriaceae.