Geopyxis carbonaria
Encyclopedia
Geopyxis carbonaria, commonly known as the charcoal loving elf-cup, is a species of fungi in the genus Geopyxis
, family Pyronemataceae
. The small, fleshy, cup-shaped red fruiting bodies are commonly found on soil where brush has recently been burned.
s) of Geopyxis carbonaris are cup shaped, 1–2 cm wide, and have fringed margins. The inner spore-bearing surface of the cup, the hymenium
, is brick red and smooth, while the exterior surface is a dull yellow, and may be either smooth or have blister-like spots (pustules). The stipe
is small (1–1.5 mm long and 1–2 mm wide), whitish in color, and expands abruptly into the cup.
s are elliptical, smooth, hyaline
, devoid of oil droplets (eguttulate), and have dimensions of 13–18 × 7–9 µm
. The asci
are 190–225 × 9–10 µm. The paraphyses
are slightly club-shaped, unbranched, and have irregular orange-brown granules, with tips up to 5 µm wide, and are not forked or lobed. The hypothecium, the layer of cells below the hymenium, is made of densely packed, small irregular cells.
, Caloscypha
, Melastiza
, and Sowerbyella
.
Geopyxis
Geopyxis is a genus of fungi in the family Pyronemataceae. The genus has a widespread distribution and contains seven species....
, family Pyronemataceae
Pyronemataceae
The Pyronemataceae are a family of fungi in the order Pezizales. It is the largest family of the Pezizales, encompassing 75 genera and approximately 500 species...
. The small, fleshy, cup-shaped red fruiting bodies are commonly found on soil where brush has recently been burned.
Description
The fruiting bodies (ascocarpAscocarp
An ascocarp, or ascoma , is the fruiting body of an ascomycete fungus. It consists of very tightly interwoven hyphae and may contain millions of asci, each of which typically contains eight ascospores...
s) of Geopyxis carbonaris are cup shaped, 1–2 cm wide, and have fringed margins. The inner spore-bearing surface of the cup, the hymenium
Hymenium
The hymenium is the tissue layer on the hymenophore of a fungal fruiting body where the cells develop into basidia or asci, which produce spores. In some species all of the cells of the hymenium develop into basidia or asci, while in others some cells develop into sterile cells called cystidia or...
, is brick red and smooth, while the exterior surface is a dull yellow, and may be either smooth or have blister-like spots (pustules). The stipe
Stipe (mycology)
thumb|150px|right|Diagram of a [[basidiomycete]] stipe with an [[annulus |annulus]] and [[volva |volva]]In mycology a stipe refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the hymenium, the stipe is composed of sterile hyphal...
is small (1–1.5 mm long and 1–2 mm wide), whitish in color, and expands abruptly into the cup.
Microscopic characteristics
The sporeSpore
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...
s are elliptical, smooth, hyaline
Hyaline
The term hyaline denotes a substance with a glass-like appearance.-Histopathology:In histopathological medical usage, a hyaline substance appears glassy and pink after being stained with haematoxylin and eosin — usually it is an acellular, proteinaceous material...
, devoid of oil droplets (eguttulate), and have dimensions of 13–18 × 7–9 µm
Micrometre
A micrometer , is by definition 1×10-6 of a meter .In plain English, it means one-millionth of a meter . Its unit symbol in the International System of Units is μm...
. The asci
Ascus
An ascus is the sexual spore-bearing cell produced in ascomycete fungi. On average, asci normally contain eight ascospores, produced by a meiotic cell division followed, in most species, by a mitotic cell division. However, asci in some genera or species can number one , two, four, or multiples...
are 190–225 × 9–10 µm. The paraphyses
Paraphyses
Paraphyses are part of the fertile spore-bearing layer in certain fungi. More specifically, paraphyses are sterile filamentous hyphal end cells composing part of the hymenium of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota interspersed among either the asci or basidia respectively, and not sufficiently...
are slightly club-shaped, unbranched, and have irregular orange-brown granules, with tips up to 5 µm wide, and are not forked or lobed. The hypothecium, the layer of cells below the hymenium, is made of densely packed, small irregular cells.
Habitat and distribution
This species is widespread on burned soil or charcoal in the spring and throughout the growing season. It has been reported that this species produces fruiting bodies from 16 to 139 weeks after a forest fire, and that this production is associated with the presence of coniferous trees.Similar species
The closely related vulcan elf cup (Geopyxis vulcanalis) has a yellow apothecium, and may be distinguished microscopically by the paraphyses which lack the orange-brown granules characteristic of G. carbonaria. Tazzetta cupularis, which grows in similar habitats, is distinguished microscopically by its spores which contain two oil droplets. Other genera with similar species with which Geopyxis carbonaria may be confused in the field include AleuriaAleuria
Aleuria is a genus of cup fungi within the phylum Ascomycota. The best known species is Orange peel fungus.Aleuria species are saprobes.-Morphology:*This genus is distinguished by the lack of gills, and epigeous nature....
, Caloscypha
Caloscypha
Caloscypha is a fungal genus in the Caloscyphaceae family . A monotypic genus, it contains the single species Caloscypha fulgens, commonly known as the spring orange peel fungus, the golden cup, or the dazzling cup...
, Melastiza
Melastiza
Melastiza is a genus of fungi in the family Pyronemataceae.-External links:*...
, and Sowerbyella
Sowerbyella
Sowerbyella is a genus of fungi in the family Pyronemataceae. The genus has a widespread distribution, and contains 16 species found mostly in Europe and China.-Species:*Sowerbyella angustispora*Sowerbyella bauerana*Sowerbyella brevispora...
.