Aleuria aurantia

Orange peel fungus
Aleuria aurantia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Phylum:	Ascomycota
Class:	Pezizomycetes
Order:	Pezizales
Family:	Pyronemataceae
Genus:	Aleuria
Binomial name
Aleuria aurantia (Fries) Fuckel

The Orange Peel Fungus (Aleuria aurantia) is a widespread ascomycete fungus in the order Pezizales. The brilliant orange, cup-shaped ascocarps often resemble orange peels strewn on the ground, giving this species its common name.

Description

In Europe, the orange peel may be confused with Otidea or Caloscypha species that are poisonous or of unknown edibility. The North American Audubon Mushroom Field Guide lists orange peel fungi as edible, though not necessarily choice, with no particularly notable continental lookalikes.

Distribution and habitat

The orange peel fungus grows on bare clay or disturbed soil throughout North America and Europe. Aleuria aurantia fruits mainly in late summer and autumn.

Orange Peel Fungus (Aleuria)

References

• Nilsson, S. & Persson, O. 1977. Fungi of Northern Europe 1: Larger Fungi (Excluding Gill Fungi). Penguin Books.
• Yao, Y.-J., and B. M. Spooner. 1995. Notes on British taxa referred to Aleuria. Mycological Research 99:1515-1518.
• Seaver, F. J. 1914. North American species of Aleuria and Aleurina. Mycologia 6:273-278.