Species details
Violet crown cup
Sarcosphaera coronaria
Poisonous
Photo: Matteo Piccinini · CC BY 4.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A large spring cup fungus that begins as a closed ball and later splits star-like to reveal a violet inner surface.
Identification features
Fruitbody about 5–10 cm wide and sometimes larger. Young it is spherical and closed, then splits at the top into several pointed lobes. The inner fertile surface is pink to violet, the outside white to pale grey.
Identification checklist
Characteristic is the large cup developing from a closed ball and then opening star-like to expose a violet to pink inner surface.
How to separate similar species
Young closed specimens may look very different from mature ones. Because this is a toxic ascomycete, AI should be cautious on unclear photos and give no food recommendation.
Habitat
Grows from spring to early summer in coniferous woodland, often in groups; relatively uncommon.
Fruiting period
April, May, June
Similar species
- Peziza species
- Bay cup (Legaliana badia)
- Sarcosphaera species