Blistered Cup

Peziza vesiculosa

TQ4792 04/03/2024 ©Raymond Small  

Straw heaps can affect local flora, however there are benefits for other wildlife. They attract molluscs, springtails, woodlice, millipedes, earwigs, worms and beetles along with the creatures that feed upon them. Decaying straw also produces heat so can provide a perfect habitat for small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Something has burrowed into the bottom of this heap.

TQ4792 04/03/2024 ©Raymond Small

Blistered Cup fungus is seen throughout the year. It is a fungus favouring habitats containing rotting straw and dung heaps. The fleshy cups are white before turning yellowish-brown. The outer surfaces are rough to the touch while the insides are smooth. The cups grow up to 10cm across.

TQ4792 04/03/2024 ©Raymond Small  

Blistered Cup belongs to a group known as 'Spore Shooters' which tend to produce cup-shaped mushrooms. Spores develop on the inner surface of the fruit body and the cup shape assists rain to splash spores out of the cups.

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