(31 votes, average: 3.94 out of 5)
Loading...
Orange Peel Fungus
Edible 
Autumn 
Summer 
A very unusual, completely unmistakable, and edible mushroom.
| Mushroom Type | |
| Common Names | Orange Peel Fungus |
| Scientific Name | Aleuria aurantia |
| Season Start | Aug |
| Season End | Nov |
| Average Mushroom height (CM) | 5 |
| Average Cap width (CM) | 10 |
Fruiting Body
No distinct cap, just a sheet of thin fragile bright orange flesh usually corrugated forming a rosette sometimes with multiple ‘petals’. Can be completely flat to the ground, or more upright becoming 5cm tall.
Pores
Pores are too small to see with the naked eye but are on the upper surface of the cap to allow the spores to be released into the air and be blown away.
Stem
No real stem, more a very short thickening in the middle of the cap going into the ground.
Flesh
Very thin, same colour as underside of cap.
Habitat
Saprobic on grass, gravel, or soil, usually compacted such as the side of paths.
Possible Confusion
Some members of the Peziza family, pictured, can look similar and are poisonous but are brown to tan and never as bright orange as the Orange Peel Fungus.
The Scarlet and Ruby Elfcup are similar but bright red.
Taste / Smell
Pleasantly mushroomy
Frequency
Locally very common, where you find one you will likely find many.
Spores
White, ellipsoid. These are ejected from the upper surface of the cap in a rush when they are fully developed and the mushroom is knocked.
1 comment for Orange Peel Fungus
I tried picking some of these. They stained my fingers yellow and, when I came to clean them, the soil was stuck firmly to the undersides so I gave up.