Monday, September 13, 2010

Orange Fairy Cup-Bog Ecosystem


Orange Fairy Cup/Orange Peel Fungus

Order:  Pezizales

Family:  Pyronemataceae

Genus:  Aleuria

Species:  A. aurantia

General Characteristics:

This fungus usually grows in clusters on the ground, often in clayey soil or disturbed ground (roadbanks, landscaping areas, etc).  The fruiting body is cup-shaped, often becoming flattened or irregularly shaped as a result of the clustered growth habit; reaching widths of 10 cm, but often smaller; bright orange and smooth above.  The undersurface is usually whitish-fuzzy, when young, but often orange and more or less smooth.  There is no stem, or odor.  The flesh is orange and brittle.

Special Adaptaions:

This mushroom was used in a study to target M cells for oral allergen immunotherapy.

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