Blistered Cup

Blistered Cup is a common and widespread cup fungus. It occurs in Europe and North America, and there are scattered occurrences in Australia, Africa, South America, and Central America. It is found from spring through fall in woodlands, meadows, gardens, pastures, corrals, and around stables. It is sometimes found in fertilized soil in greenhouses. It appears on the ground, sometimes alone but more often in groups or clustered. It grows in nutrient rich soil, especially on dung, compost, or fertilized soil. It also grows on rotting straw.

When it first appears, the fruiting body is more or less globe shaped. As it ages, it broadens out, becoming hemispherical or cup shaped, with the margins rolled inward. Mature caps are variable in size and shape. They can be ¾″ to 4¾″ (2 to 12 cm) in diameter, but they are usually no more than 2⅜″ (6 cm) in diameter. They may be cup shaped, compressed, lobed, crimped, flared out, or almost completely flat. They are usually contorted when clustered. The inner surface is smooth and pale yellowish brown, light brown, or buff. The outer surface is whitish, pale tan, or buff, and it is covered with granules that eventually wear away as the cup ages. The margins do not have a fringe of hairs.

There is sometimes no stalk. When present, the stalk is very short.

The flesh is thin, soft, and fragile. Eating it is not recommended. It may be poisonous if not well cooked.

The spore print is white.

Woodlands, meadows, gardens, pastures, corrals, and around stables

Spring through fall

Sources

4, 7, 24, 26, 29, 30, 77.

Common and widespread

Early Cup Fungus
Andrée Reno Sanborn

Peziza vesiculosa is a species of apothecial fungus belonging to the family Pezizaceae
Nature and consciousness