Peziza violacea
Encyclopedia
Peziza violacea, commonly known as the violet fairy cup or the violet cup fungus, is a species of fungus
in the genus Peziza
, Pezizaceae family. As both it common names and specific epithet suggest, the cup-shaped fruiting bodies are violet colored on the interior surface. P. violacea is typically found growing on burnt soil.
, is pale violet to reddish violet in color, often centrally depressed and slightly wrinked. The flesh
is thin (0.5–2.0 mm thick) and pale purple. The exterior surface is paler than the interior, somewhat grayish, and may be pruinose near the margins—having a very fine whitish powder on the surface. The odor and taste are not distinctive.
s are elliptical, smooth, hyaline
, without any oil droplets (eguttulate), with dimensions of 16–17 × 8–10 µm
. The asci
are roughly cylindrical, 8-spored 200–250 × 12–15 µm. The paraphyses
are club-shaped, filled with violet granules, and have curved tips; they are up to 8 µm wide.
and Europe
, and Iceland
.
is also violet-colored and prefers growing on burned ground. In general, Peziza praetervisa is more purple- rather than violet-colored like P. violacea. However, fruiting body color can vary depending on humidity and other factors, so they are more reliably distinguished microscopically—P. praetervisa has rough, not smooth spores with two polar oil drops. P. proteana also prefers burned ground, but is paler in color, being white or pinkish.
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
in the genus Peziza
Peziza
Peziza is a large genus of saprophytic cup fungi that grow on the ground, rotting wood, or dung. Most members of this genus are of unknown edibility and are difficult to identify as separate species without use of microscopy...
, Pezizaceae family. As both it common names and specific epithet suggest, the cup-shaped fruiting bodies are violet colored on the interior surface. P. violacea is typically found growing on burnt soil.
Description
Fruiting bodies are initially almost spherical, then cup-shaped, then expanding to being somewhat flattened in age. They do not have a stem (or at most a short, narrowed version), and may be up to 3 centimetres (1.2 in) wide by 1–1.5 cm tall, although they are often much smaller. The inner spore-bearing surface of the cup, the hymeniumHymenium
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 pale violet to reddish violet in color, often centrally depressed and slightly wrinked. The flesh
Trama (mycology)
In mycology trama is a term for the inner, fleshy portion of a mushroom's basidiocarp, or fruit body. It is distinct from the outer layer of tissue, known as the pileipellis or cuticle, and from the spore-bearing tissue layer known as the hymenium....
is thin (0.5–2.0 mm thick) and pale purple. The exterior surface is paler than the interior, somewhat grayish, and may be pruinose near the margins—having a very fine whitish powder on the surface. The odor and taste are not distinctive.
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...
, without any oil droplets (eguttulate), with dimensions of 16–17 × 8–10 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 roughly cylindrical, 8-spored 200–250 × 12–15 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 club-shaped, filled with violet granules, and have curved tips; they are up to 8 µm wide.
Edibility
Like many others in the Pezizales genus, the edibility is unknown for this small and insubstantial species.Habitat and distribution
Peziza violacea is widespread on burned soil and charred wood. It typically grows scattered or in groups. It is found in North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
.
Similar species
The closely related Peziza praetervisaPeziza praetervisa
Peziza praetervisa, commonly known as the purple fairy cup or the fireplace cup, is a species of fungus in the genus Peziza, family Pezizaceae. Recognized by its flattened, purple, cup-like fruiting bodies, this widespread fungus typically grows scattered or in clusters on burnt...
is also violet-colored and prefers growing on burned ground. In general, Peziza praetervisa is more purple- rather than violet-colored like P. violacea. However, fruiting body color can vary depending on humidity and other factors, so they are more reliably distinguished microscopically—P. praetervisa has rough, not smooth spores with two polar oil drops. P. proteana also prefers burned ground, but is paler in color, being white or pinkish.