Geopora sumneriana
Systematics:
- Department: Ascomycota (Ascomycetes)
- Species: Geopora sumneriana (Geopora Sumner)
Synonyms:
-
Peziza sumneriana
- Lachnea sumneriana
- Lachnea sumneriana
- Sepultaria sumneriana
- Sarcosphaera sumneriana
Geopora Sumner is a rather large geopore, much larger than Geopora pine and Geopora sandy. This species grows in small groups and is found exclusively where cedar trees grow.
Description
At the initial stage of development, the fruiting body has a spherical shape and is almost completely hidden underground. Gradually, as it grows, it takes the shape of a dome and finally comes out onto an open surface
An adult mushroom has a more or less stellate cup-shaped shape, does not unfold to a flat saucer. In adulthood, the diameter can exceed 5-7 cm.The height is up to 5 cm.
The peridium (wall of the fruiting body) is brown. The entire outer surface is covered with very narrow long hairs of brown tones; hairs are especially dense in young specimens.
Hymenium (inner side with a spore-bearing layer) is completely smooth, cream to light gray in color.
Under the microscope: Asci and spores stand out for their large size. Spores can reach 30-3615 microns.
Pulp: rather thick, but very fragile. Smell and taste: almost indistinguishable. Geopora Sumner smells just like the substrate from which it grew, that is, needles, sand and dampness.
Edibility
Inedible.
Season and habitat
It is considered a spring species, there is data on finds in March and April. However, it is possible that during warm winters the fruiting body can come to the surface in January-February (Crimea). Grows in large groups in cedar forests and in alleys.
Similar species
Geopora Sumner is very similar to Geopora pine, and if spruces and kerds are present in a coniferous forest, problems may arise with the exact definition of the type of geopore. But this can hardly have any serious gastronomic consequences: both types are unsuitable for human consumption. However, one Italian site published a simple and reliable way to distinguish the Sumner Geopora from the pine one: “in case of doubt, one look at the size of the dispute can dispel these doubts.” So I imagine an amateur mushroom picker with a basket in which a microscope is carefully placed, right between breakfast and a bottle of mineral water.
