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Urnula craterium, commonly known as the Devil's Urn or Black Trumpet, is a saprobic ascomycete fungus. Its dark, urn-shaped fruit bodies are typically found in early spring, growing on decaying branches and woody debris. While not considered choice edibles, they are not known to be poisonous.
How to Identify
- Cap
- Urn-shaped, dark brown to black, often wrinkled or furrowed.
- Gills
- Absent (Ascomycete)
- Stem
- Rudimentary or absent.
- Flesh
- Thin, leathery, and dark.
- Fruiting body
- Urn-shaped when young, opening and flattening with age.
- Habitat
- Decaying hardwood, especially oak and hickory.
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Wrinkled or furrowed
- Growth Form: Clustered or solitary
- Spore Print: White
- Body color: Dark brown to black
- Odor: Not distinctive
- Flesh bruises: Not applicable
- Height: 2-4 cm
- Cap Diameter: 2-5 cm
- Nutrient gathering: Saprobic
Safe
SafeNot known to be poisonous, but edibility is not well-established.
Quick Check
- Odor: Mild, not distinctive
- Fruiting: Early spring
- Substrate: Decaying hardwood
Where to Find
Hardwood Forests
Decaying hardwood branches, especially oak and hickory.
Forest Floor
Woody debris on the forest floor.
Finding Tips
Timing
Search in early spring, often after snowmelt.
Appearance
Look for dark, urn-shaped fungi on decaying wood.
Habitat
Check areas with abundant hardwood leaf litter.
Similar Species
Sarcoscypha spp.
Ascomycete fungus
Also known as: Elf Cup
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Ascomycota
- Class
- Pezizomycetes
- Order
- Pezizales
- Family
- Sarcosomataceae
- Genus
- Urnula
Storage Information
- Max Temperature: N/A
- Freezing duration: N/A
- Min Temperature: 2°C
- Refrigeration: 2-3 days
How to Clean
Gently brush off any debris. Avoid soaking, as they can become waterlogged.
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