Plectania melastoma

Morphological Features:

Carpophore in fully developed and open individuals can reach 2 cm, although when closed it barely reaches 0.5 cm. Initially cup-shaped or spherical, with a small apical opening, but gradually opens until nearly fully expanded. The external surface has a dark blackish ground color, but is covered with reddish or rust-colored granules and hairs, which impart this appearance, although they are lost with maturation, persisting mainly on the margin. This margin is usually irregular or toothed.

Hymenium immersed on the internal surface of the carpophore, shiny black in color, generally smooth.

Stipe short and very rudimentary in young specimens; adults that are already open are practically sessile. It is similar in color to the rest of the carpophore.

Flesh relatively thick for the small size of the fungus, dark brownish-black in color with a somewhat gummy consistency. It has barely any odor and its taste is insipid.

Habitat:

This is a species that typically fruits on fallen branches, albeit from very different trees; its presence is documented on birches and, in general, on various broadleaf trees, but we have located it on Picea abies. It fruits gregariously, yet it should still be considered a rare species. Fruiting occurs throughout spring; in this case, the specimens located were found in April.

Observations:

This is an interesting fungus due to its rarity and is not widely known among enthusiasts. It is characterized by fruiting in groups on fallen branches and by its reddish covering. Plectania rhytidia is very similar, although it lacks this covering and fruits under eucalyptus trees. Another species with similar characteristics and equally interesting is Plectania zugazae, which also lacks the covering and differs microscopically by having smaller spores with a hyaline matrix.