Peziza cerea
Description
Peziza cerea is a species of Ascomycete fungus in the genus Peziza, family Pezizaceae. In common with other Ascomycetes the upper surface of the fungus has a layer of cylindrical spore-producing cells called asci, from which the ascospores are forcibly discharged. It is a yellow-gray to beige mushroom internally, less than 5 cm across with granular or brittle flesh. The stipe is placed in a lateral position but is small or even entirely absent. The spore color is white, cream, or yellowish; they are elliptical and smooth. The cup exterior is white in color.
This mushroom can be initially identified by its growth in cellars, damp mortar, the soil between pavement slabs, rotting sandbags, plant material, or manure. Found all year round. Its upper surface (at maturity) is usually somewhat wrinkled near the center; a whitish and minutely fuzzy under surface; around, cuplike shape when young, and a flattened-irregular shape when mature.
High osmotic pressure in the cells of the epithecium prevents marauding microfauna that would otherwise penetrate and feed on the rich protoplasm below. To disperse spores, asci push between the paraphyses from below, shoot off their spores then collapse.
The name Peziza means a sort of mushroom without a root or stalk.
Common names: Cellar Cup.
Mushroom Identification
Cap
The cap 1–5cm across, cup-shaped, sessile, inner surface pale yellowish-buff, outer similarly colored, scurfy, darkening towards the base.
Flesh
Whitish.
Microscopic Features
Asci 350 x 16µ, blued at the tip by iodine. Spores elliptical, smooth, 14–17 x 8–10µ.
Habitat
On rotting sandbags, damp mortar, and the soil between damp paving stones, often found in cellars. Season all year.
Photo sources:
Photo 1 - Author: LutzBruno (CC BY 3.0)
Photo 2 - Author: Holger Krisp (CC BY 3.0)
Photo 3 - Author: LutzBruno (CC BY 3.0)
Photo 4 - Author: Rosser1954 Roger Griffith (Public Domain)
