Sowerbyella imperialis

A striking ascomycete due to its sulphur-yellow colour and size (reaching up to 4 cm in diameter). Though opening at maturity, it usually retains a cupulate habit with a distinct, deeply buried stipe. An uncommon species that nonetheless occurs in dense colonies, mainly in coniferous forests during late autumn to early winter. It is distinguished from congeners by spore size and spore ornamentation consisting of isolated warts that do not form a reticulum.

The collection was found in Kanpezu (Álava), growing in needle litter of a Picea abies plantation in late September.