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Brilliant caloscypha (lat. Caloscypha fulgens) is considered one of the most colorful spring mushrooms, but it has no special nutritional value. Collecting this species for consumption is not recommended, because the composition of its pulp has not yet been fully studied. Other names: Detonia fulgens, Peziza fulgens, Cochlearia fulgens.
What does the shiny caloscypha look like?
The fruit body is quite small, usually about 2 cm in diameter. In young mushrooms, the cap looks like an egg, but then it opens. In mature specimens, the fruiting body takes the form of a bowl with walls bent inward, and small gaps are often located along the edge. In older specimens, the appearance is more like a saucer.
Hymenium (the surface of the fungus on the inside) is matte to the touch, bright orange or yellow, sometimes there are almost red fruiting bodies. From the outer side of the caloscyph, the shiny color is dirty gray with an admixture of green. The surface is smooth on the outside, however, it often has a whitish coating.
Spore powder is white, individual spores are almost round. The flesh is quite tender, even fragile. On the cut, it is colored in yellow tones, but when touched, it quickly acquires a blue tint. The smell of pulp is weak, inexpressive.
This is a sessile variety, so the stem of the mushroom is very small. In most cases, it is completely absent.
Where and how to grow
Shiny Caloscypha is a rather rare species that is found only in North America and Europe. On the territory of Our Country, large groups of mushrooms are found in the Leningrad region and the Moscow region.
The fruiting of the brilliant caloscypha occurs at the end of April – mid-June. Depending on the climate, these dates may shift slightly – for example, in temperate latitudes, the harvest can only be harvested from the end of April to the last days of May. Every year, the caloscypha practically does not bear fruit, empty seasons often occur.
This variety should be sought in coniferous and mixed forests, with special attention being paid to places under spruces, birches and aspens, where moss grows and needles accumulate. Sometimes fruiting bodies grow on rotten stumps and fallen trees. In mountainous areas, the lustrous caloscyfu can be found near clusters of giant morel and morel cap.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
There is no exact data on the toxicity of the caloscypha, however, it is not collected for human consumption – the fruiting bodies are too small. The taste of the pulp and the smell of the mushroom are inexpressive. Refers to inedible.
Twins and their differences
There are few twins in the brilliant caloscypha. It differs from all similar varieties in that the pulp of the fruiting bodies acquires a bluish color shortly after mechanical impact (impact, squeezing). In false species, the flesh does not change its color after touching it.
Aleuria orange (lat. Aleuria aurantia) – the most common twin of the shiny caloscypha. The similarity between them is really great, but these mushrooms grow at different times. Aleuria orange fruits on average from August to October, in contrast to the spring caloscyphae.
Conclusion
The shiny caloscypha is not poisonous, however, its fruiting bodies also do not represent nutritional value. The properties of this mushroom have not yet been fully studied, so it is not recommended to collect it.
