Early Peziza for ID please

[Nettle Runner]

Anston Stones Wood 21 March 2009





Found growing at side of path, a singleton, 30mm at widest point. Growing in deciduous woodland, on soil amongst moss, ransoms and anemones. Did not lift it in case further investigation required.

Look forward to any suggestions for an ID.
Les

[Lancashire Lad]

I may be way off, but I think Peziza echinospora (Charcoal Cup) would be a contender.

Regards
Mike.

EDIT Charcoal cup grows mainly on burnt wood or ground - is it possible that there may have been a fire at the spot where it was found?

[diggleken]

Dont know Les - but I'll have a root when I get home, where the fungi books are!
Just noticed 500 for you, well done and keep up the good work - I always miss the congrats threads etc so here it is!
Cheers
Ken

[CapAndBracket]

May well be Disciotis venosa, about time they came up.

Cheers J.P.

[diggleken]

that looks pretty good JP.
all seems to fit the saucery peziza, down to the graininess and stubby stem - at least from the Jordan pic and description!
Ken

[mollisia]

Hello,

yes, pretty certain that this is Disciotis venosa. When you have it fresh, I strongly smells alcalic (not alcoholic! ) - like swimming pool.
The odour goes away when cooking it, by the way.

best regards,
Andreas

[rich ard]

Originally Posted by mollisia

Hello,

yes, pretty certain that this is Disciotis venosa.

Yes, I think so too Les. Bleech Cup is the common name - did you get down on you hands and knees to smell it?

richard

[Nettle Runner]

Thanks all for the quick ID confirmation.
Ha, you noticed the milestone then, Ken. I thought I was going to sneak past it unnoticed.
I see that Disciotis venosa is in the family Morchellaceae. Thats the closest I've come to the Morels so far. Must be getting warm.
Les

[mollisia]

Originally Posted by Nettle Runner

Thanks all for the quick ID confirmation.
Ha, you noticed the milestone then, Ken. I thought I was going to sneak past it unnoticed.
I see that Disciotis venosa is in the family Morchellaceae. Thats the closest I've come to the Morels so far. Must be getting warm.
Les

Hi Les,

they are not only close to morels, they taste even quite similar. In FoS they say, they taste even better than morels. This is not my opinion, indeed, there is nothing compared to dried morels in my eyes. But nevertheless Disciotis venosa is one quite good to eat.

And, what is even more valuable: Disciotis are a sign for places where true morels grow, Morchella esculenta. Very often they are in society, the Disciotis always appearing earlier than the morels. But as Disciotis is growing very slowly (4 weeks to reach 20 cm diameter is not rare) , they can appear together in a few weeks.

best regards,
Andreas

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Nettle Runner

Thanks all for the quick ID confirmation.
Ha, you noticed the milestone then, Ken. I thought I was going to sneak past it unnoticed.
I see that Disciotis venosa is in the family Morchellaceae. Thats the closest I've come to the Morels so far. Must be getting warm.
Les

Well done Les. I was going to show you these at Roche Abbey!
Congratulations om your milestone ... about time too
John