Urnula craterium (Devil's Urn)

Urnula craterium (Devil's Urn) growing along a trail in a mixed species Northern Mesic Forest. It appeared that the fungus was growing from woody debris from Beaked hazel (Corylus cornuta).

comments (8)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Stunning species! Posted 6 years ago
1. Gary B
  
  Lion
  
  I was happy to find this fungus as it had been almost 13 years since I last saw it. It is an early spring fungus and only up for a short time. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Happy you posted it too! I can't say I ever heard of it, it's a wonderful surprise. Well done, Gary! Posted 6 years ago

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

Awesome!

You just reminded me that I hadn't posted several photos of this species from last year! Thanks! :D

Have you heard that it is also called "The Harbinger of Morels" ? Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago
1. Gary B
  
  Lion
  
  No, I had not but it does appear just before the morels do around here. Posted 6 years ago

Barry

Lion

Another great name - but I would have considered Devil's cauldron! Posted 6 years ago
1. Gary B
  
  Lion
  
  I agree. Posted 6 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

Fantastic!! Posted 6 years ago

The Devil's urn

"Urnula craterium" is a species of cup fungus in the family Sarcosomataceae. It is parasitic on oak and various other hardwood species; it is also saprobic, as the fruit bodies develop on dead wood after it has fallen to the ground. Appearing in early spring, its distinctive goblet-shaped and dark-colored fruit bodies have earned it the common names devil's urn and the gray urn.

Info 7 0

Similar species: Pezizales

Species identified by Gary B