Species details
Black bulgar
Bulgaria inquinans
Inedible
Photo: mycowalt · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A black rubbery-gelatinous cup fungus on oak wood that may stain fingers dark brown to black when touched.
Identification features
Fruitbodies are 1–3 cm, initially cup- or egg-shaped, later flattened. The upper surface is smooth and glossy black; the outer surface is dark brown and somewhat crusty.
Identification checklist
Check the glossy black smooth upper surface, rubbery flesh and oak substrate; spores may heavily darken the surroundings.
How to separate similar species
Exidia glandulosa is also black and gelatinous but has a more wrinkled, finely granular surface and does not characteristically stain fingers the same way.
Habitat
Grows from late autumn through winter into spring on bark of recently fallen oak branches, less often other hardwoods.
Fruiting period
October, November, December, January, February, March, April