Crocicreas?

[diggleken]

Hopefully this is a pretty close ID, new one to me - Crocicreas cyathoideum...........! Before I put a better shot in the Gallery, grateful for confirmation or suggestions.
Found on rotting stem, possibly Penstemon, under herbage, part buried in soil.
Minute, less than pinhead caps at largest although still developing, cup shape and flattening out.
Creamy/yellow cap, stem vaguely concolorous, but appearing slightly paler, leaving me slightly bothered cos Jordan has it as same, but white flesh may well account for that.
Cheers
Ken

[Chris Yeates]

hi Ken

it's possible, but we are talking identifying microfungi from photo's - yours look rather like a species of Hymenoscyphus, perhaps H. scutula (the paler stem makes me doubt Crocicreas cyathoideum) - did you collect them? I could have a look at them for you (though I suspect I know the answer)

a useful guide is that Crocicreas has thick-walled outer cells and therefore doesn't squash as easily as many disco's - those examining members of the genus on a microscope slide under a cover-slip will attest to that

Crocicreas cyathoideum is actually incredibly common - look at the bases of stems of rosebay, umbellifers, stinging nettle, thistles etc - especially after this recent rain, and you will soon find it

cheers

Chris

[diggleken]

Hi Chris,
thanks for that info - and yes I still have it, it was in my garden!
But I have lost your address in my myriads of e-rubbish on my PC, so please pm me again with details and e-mail if you wish...........
In trawling Hymenoscyphus spp, I came across this flickr member - if you havent spotted it yet, its well worth a look, the lady is Quebecois, Canada and includes lots of microscopy details.
Flickr: Jacqueline+'s Photostream
Cheers
Ken

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by diggleken

Hi Chris,
thanks for that info - and yes I still have it, it was in my garden!
But I have lost your address in my myriads of e-rubbish on my PC, so please pm me again with details and e-mail if you wish...........
In trawling Hymenoscyphus spp, I came across this flickr member - if you havent spotted it yet, its well worth a look, the lady is Quebecois, Canada and includes lots of microscopy details.
Flickr: Jacqueline+'s Photostream
Cheers
Ken

will PM you details - yes I was aware of the French Canadian groups - particularly enjoyed Projet de francisation re giving fungi French vernacular names - as they so colourfully put it: "Pourquoi rebaptiser les champignons?"

LOL

Chris

PS - does she really use salt water as a mountant?

[diggleken]

Apologiesfor reawakening this thread................
I (mistakenly I suspect) had this down as Crocicreas too, but now think its nearer to Lachnum brevipilosum as it seems a bit hairy-ish or fringed on the cups.
I know its not poss from a simple pic, but is that ID getting closer with this one?
On rotting old balsam or willowherb stem.
Be gentle with me.
Cheers
Ken

[Chris Yeates]

sorry Ken . . . . it's not Crocicreas, looks like a Hymenoscyphus again!

a simple test is to squeeze a fruit-body between finger and thumb - Crocicreas will feel toughish, Hymenoscyphus is much squashier; C. cyathoideum is never as white as this, usually dirty cream to fawn

I can't believe you haven't found it - I see it whenever I go out - try (carefully) old nettle stems . . . I don't think I sent you my address last time you asked - will get on to that

cheers

Chris

PS Lachnum brevipilosum would be distinctly downy, and it's usually a species found on wood, particularly decorticated wood

[diggleken]

OK, thats grand, thanks for that advice Chris, I'll keep up the search, its good conditions at the moment.
Up on the moors tomorrow, will check for sphagnum fungi too....................
Cheers
Ken

[mollisia]

Hello,

as Chris I'm also the opinion that neither of the two is Cyathicula/Crociceras. The first is too yellow and most likely a Hymenoscyphus. The 2nd one is to white and have the strong feeling that it is Hymenoscyphus albidus. The apothecia are quite thickset and the substrate could well be the petiole of Fraxinus.

best regards,
Andreas

[diggleken]

hello Andreas, thanks for that, I'll have a closer look at it, but seems very close on first thoughts ....................
Cheers
Ken