Species details
Bleach cup
Disciotis venosa
Conditional / expert preparation
Photo: Fluff Berger · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A large brown spring cup fungus with a vein-wrinkled centre and a distinct chlorine smell.
Identification features
Fruitbody about 3–15 cm wide, initially a shallow cup and later more expanded, with a reddish- to dark-brown inner surface. The centre is strongly vein-wrinkled, the outer surface paler. Stem is very short.
Identification checklist
The most characteristic features are the large brown bowl-like form with a vein-wrinkled centre and the strong chlorine smell in fresh specimens.
Detailed features
- Stem
- Stem is very short.
Habitat
Grows in spring on damp sandy or clay soils at woodland edges and near water, singly or in small groups; rare.
Fruiting period
April, May
Ecology
- Substrate
- Sandy soil
- Soil
- Clayey, Moist
- Notes
- Grows in spring on damp sandy or clay soils at woodland edges and near water, singly or in small groups; rare.
How to separate similar species
Discina ancilis mainly grows on decaying conifer wood and lacks the characteristic chlorine smell. A photograph cannot confirm odour.