How to identify White-cup Fungi

To correctly identify White-cup Fungi (Peziza repanda), check each of these features in order. Misidentification is the most common cause of mushroom poisoning, so cross-reference multiple sources.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Cap

   Shape, color, surface texture, and diameter.

   The term 'cap' is not strictly applicable as it's a cup fungus (apothecium). The apothecium diameter ranges from 2 cm to 10 cm, occasionally up to 15 cm. It evolves from a goblet-like structure to a flat or wavy disc.

2. 2

   Gills

   Attachment to stem, color, and spacing.

   As an ascomycete cup fungus, Peziza repanda does not possess gills.

3. 3

   Stem

   Length, shape, surface, and any ring.

   A true stem is absent; the fruiting body is sessile or sub-sessile, attached directly to the substrate or by a very short, stout base that may appear as a rudimentary stipe.

4. 4

   Flesh

   Color, texture, and bruising reaction.

   The flesh is thin, brittle, and rather watery, typically whitish or pale, without a distinctive odor or taste.

5. 5

   Fruiting body

   Overall growth pattern.

   The fruiting body (apothecium) starts as a goblet-shaped cup, gradually expanding to become cup-shaped, then saucer-shaped, and eventually flat or broadly undulate (repand) with an often wavy margin. It lacks a true stem, or has a very rudimentary, almost invisible one. The inner surface (hymenium) is smooth, typically whitish to pale grayish-brown, buff, or even yellowish cream, sometimes darkening with age to a brownish hue. The outer surface is often paler, sometimes almost white, with a minutely granular or scurfy texture, and often has brown staining at the point of attachment or where it touches the substrate. The margin can be entire or subtly wavy.

6. 6

   Habitat

   Where it grows and on what substrate.

   Saprobic, typically growing directly on decaying deciduous or coniferous wood, wood chips, sawdust, or other woody debris. It can also be found on soil enriched with organic matter, particularly near rotting wood. Often found scattered or in groups.

Key Facts

Cap surfaces

Inner surface (hymenium) smooth, whitish to pale grey-brown; outer surface minutely granular/scurfy, often paler.

Growth Form

Cup-shaped to flattened discoid, often gregarious or scattered.

Spore Print

White

Body color

Whitish, buff, pale grey-brown, or yellowish cream on the inside; paler to whitish-brown on the outside.

Odor

Indistinct or faintly earthy.

Flesh bruises

Does not bruise distinctly.

Height

Rarely exceeding 3 cm from substrate due to sessile nature.

Cap Diameter

2 cm to 10 cm, occasionally up to 15 cm.

Fruit body characteristics

• Gill attachment: N/A (gill-less ascomycete)
• Stem shape: Absent or rudimentary/sub-sessile.
• Stem surface: N/A
• Ring: Absent
• Stem cross-section: N/A

Explore White-cup Fungi