Sarcosphaera coronaria (Jacquin) Boud.

Common Name: none

Synonyms: Sarcosphaera crassa (Santi) Pouzar; Sarcosphaera eximia (Durieu et Léveillé) Maire

• Sporocarp

  Fruiting body 2.0-10.0 cm broad, at first hypogeous, then partially emergent, with or without a short base; ascocarp compressed-globose, hollow, opening by a pore, then appearing urn-shaped, at maturity the margin sometimes coarsely toothed; outer surface whitish, typically dingy from adhering soil, inner surface (hymenium) pale-lavender to pinkish-brown, glabrous; context colored like the hymenium but paler, up to 3.0 mm thick, brittle; odor and taste not determined.

• Spores

  Spores 15-20 x 7.5-10 µm, elliptical to oblong, smooth, thin-walled, most with two oil drops, hyaline in 3% KOH; spore deposit not seen.

• Habitat

  Solitary, scattered, to clustered under conifers in montane California; fruiting during the spring.

• Edibility

  Edible according to some authors. Arora states it may concentrate arsenic from the soil.

• Comments

  Sarcosphaera coronaria is a cup fungus with a largely underground development. Only at maturity does the ascocarp, a hollow ball-like structure, break through the soil surface and open. Even then, fruitings can be inconspicuous, often looking like irregular-shaped holes in the ground. Closer inspection, however, reveals the distinctive lavender-colored hymenial surface of this cup fungus. Sarcosphera coronaria is a common spring species found throughout the Western United States in montane regions. It is sometimes used as an morel indicator, because of its similar fruiting period.

  
  
• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Dimitar Bojantchev: Sarcosphaera coronaria (CP)
  • Dimitar Bojantchev: Sarcosphaera coronaria (CP)
  • Boleslaw Kuznik: Sarcosphaera coronaria (CP)
  • Hugh Smith: Sarcosphaera coronaria (CP)
  • Fred Stevens: Sarcosphaera coronaria (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Sarcosphaera coronaria (CP)
  • Handbook to Additional Fungal Species of Special Concern in the Northwest Forest Plan: Sarcosphaera coronaria (D & CP)
  • Mushroom Observer: Sarcosphaera coronaria (CP)
  • Société Mycologique de Strasbourg: Sarcosphaera coronaria (CP)
  • Schlauchpilze - Ascomycetes: Sarcosphaera coronaria (CP)
  • Slovak Mycological Society: Sarcosphaera coronaria (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 825 (D & P), p. 826 (P) [as Sarcosphaera crassa]
  • Arora (1991): p. 246 (D & CP) [as Sarcosphaera crassa]
  • Breitenbach & Kränzlin (v.1 ): sp. 34 (D, I, & CP) [as Sarcosphaera crassa]
  • Jordan: p. 51 (D & CP)
  • Lincoff: p. 346 (D), pl. 640 (CP) [as Sarcosphaera crassa]
  • Orr & Orr: p. 26 (D) [as Sarcosphaera crassa]
  • Phillips: p. 306 (D), p. 307 (CP) [as Sarcosphaera crassa]
  • Smith (1975): sp. 4 (D & CP) [as Sarcosphaera crassa]
  • Tylutki (1979): p. 60 (D & P) [as Sarcosphaera crassa]
  
  

  (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)