Sarcosphaera coronaria
Description
Sarcosphaera coronaria is one of the larger, fleshier cups. Young fruitbodies may be overlooked as they tend to be nearly buried in the soil or duff. When found at this stage, they are spherical and can be confused with truffles; later they crack open and expand into ragged-edged, star-shaped cups (hence its specific epithet, coronaria, Latin for crown).
The color usually is some shade of violet and contrasts beautifully with the whitish to pale grayish exterior that often retains a coating of soil.
Sarcosphera coronaria is a common spring species found throughout the Western United States in montane regions. It is sometimes used as a morel indicator, because of its similar fruiting period.
Recent studies tell us about the good antioxidant potential of S. coronaria.
Common names: Pink Crown, Violet Crowncup, Violet Star Cup, Crown Fungus.
Mushroom Identification
Sporocarp
Fruiting body 2.0-10.0 cm broad, at first hypogeous, then partially emergent, with or without a short base; ascocarp compressed-globose, hollow, opening by a pore, then appearing urn-shaped, at maturity the margin sometimes coarsely toothed; outer surface whitish, typically dingy from adhering soil, the inner surface (hymenium) pale-lavender to pinkish-brown, glabrous; context colored like the hymenium but paler, up to 3.0 mm thick, brittle; odor and taste not determined.
Microscopic Features
Spores 14-22 x 7-9 µ; elliptical with blunt ends; with 1-3 oil droplets (most commonly with 2); smooth or slightly roughened. Paraphyses cylindric, with rounded apices. Asci with blue tips in IKI or Melzer's reagent; 8-spored; 300-360 x 10-13 µ.
Habitat
Solitary, scattered, to clustered under conifers in Montana California; fruiting during the spring.
Photo sources:
Photo 1 - Author: Paffka (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo 2 - Author: Ron Pastorino (Ronpast) (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo 3 - Author: Matteo Piccinini (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Photo 4 - Author: GLJIVARSKO DRUSTVO NIS from Serbia (CC BY-SA 2.0)
