Content
Caloscypha fulgens is considered one of the most colorful spring mushrooms, but it has no special nutritional value. It is not recommended to collect this species for food consumption, because the composition of its pulp has not yet been fully studied. Other names: Detonia fulgens, Peziza fulgens, Cochlearia fulgens.
What does Caloscypha splendor look like?
The fruiting body is quite small, usually about 2 cm in diameter. In young mushrooms, the cap looks like an egg, but then it opens. In ripe specimens, the fruiting body takes the shape of a bowl with walls curved inward, and small tears are often located along the edge. Older specimens have a more saucer-like appearance.
The hymenium (the surface of the mushroom on the inside) is matte to the touch, bright orange or yellow, sometimes almost red fruiting bodies are found.On the outside, the shiny caloscypha is colored dirty gray with an admixture of green. The surface is smooth on the outside, however, it often has a whitish coating.
The spore powder is white, individual spores are almost round. The pulp is quite tender, even fragile. When cut, it is colored yellow, but when touched it quickly acquires a blue tint. The smell of the pulp is weak and inexpressive.
This is a sessile variety, so the mushroom has a very small stalk. In most cases, it is completely absent.
Where and how does it grow
Caloscypha splendor is a rather rare species that is found only in North America and Europe. On the territory of Russia, large groups of mushrooms are found in the Leningrad region and the Moscow region.
Fruiting of Caloscypha splendor 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, Caloscypha practically does not bear fruit; empty seasons often occur.
You should look for this species in coniferous and mixed forests, paying special attention to places under spruce, birch and aspen trees where moss grows and needles accumulate. Sometimes fruiting bodies grow on rotten stumps and fallen trees. In mountainous areas, Caloscypha splendor 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 caloscypha, however, it is not collected for food consumption - the fruiting bodies are too small. The taste of the pulp and the smell of the mushroom are inexpressive. Classified as inedible.
Doubles and their differences
Caloscypha lucidum has few duplicates. It differs from all similar varieties in that the flesh of its fruiting bodies acquires a bluish color soon after mechanical action (impact, squeezing). In false species, the flesh does not change color after touching it.
Aleuria orange (lat. Aleuria aurantia) is the most common counterpart of the brilliant Caloscypha. The similarity between them is really great, but these mushrooms grow at different times. Orange aleuria bears fruit on average from August to October, in contrast to spring caloscypha.
Conclusion
Caloscypha splendor is not poisonous, however, its fruiting bodies also have no nutritional value. The properties of this mushroom have not yet been fully studied, so collecting it is not recommended.
