Spring Hazelcup

Encoelia furfuracea

This fungus emerges as individuals or in clusters of tightly closed cups with a fuzzy outer surface. These cups open up to reveal a smooth, fertile, inner surface from which the spores are released. Eventually, the cups can flatten out completely to about 1.5cm across, although some of them retain an enclosed form.
Spring Hazelcup Tiny fungi growing on the side of a log in a mixed, but mostly deciduous forest with lots of oak. They had a fuzzy outer surface and a pinkish inner surface and were sort of cup-shaped. Each fruiting body was 1-2 mm tall, and they were growing in a cluster. Encoelia,Encoelia furfuracea,Geotagged,Spring Hazelcup,United States,Winter,fungi,fungus

Naming

Synonyms include Cenangium furfuraceum and Peziza furfuracea.

Habitat

This species associates with hazel, alder, and possibly hornbeam in addition to other tree species.

Reproduction

Ascomycetes (cup fungi) release spores by forcible discharge, so the fertile part of the fruiting body doesn't have to be aligned with gravity to ensure the successful dispersal of spores.

References:

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http://eol.org/pages/1017384/overview
Taxonomy
KingdomFungi
DivisionAscomycota
ClassLeotiomycetes
OrderHelotiales
FamilySclerotiniaceae
GenusEncoelia
SpeciesEncoelia furfuracea
Photographed in
United States of America