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Page 1 of 3 November 2008
Plectania sp.- The black cup fungus
Plectania sp.- The black cup fungus
Plectania sp. is an unnamed cup fungus. It is common in spring in the
wetter jarrah and karri forest where it fruits on and amongst bark and twigs
in deep litter. It is often found in conjunction with moss, either on the ground
or on decayed logs. It is easily recognised by its tough black cup-shaped fruit
body that is up to 1.5 cm diameter with a wrinkled texture and radially indented
margin. The cup has a tough black stem with a root-like mass of fungal mycelium
radiating from its base deep into the litter. When the cups are small and undeveloped (inset) they are well camouflaged,
resembling karri or jarrah fruits that have fallen into the litter, and which
turn black just before they start to decay.
The Latin name for the genus may refer to the root-like mass that penetrates
into the litter: plect-: plaited, twined or twisted
Download November Fungus of the Month (141 KB PDF)
Further Information: Richard Robinson
DEC Science Divison
Manjimup
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