Pecica varia (Peziza varia)
Systematics:
- Department: Ascomycota (Ascomycetes)
- Subdivision: Pezizomycotina (Pesizomycotins)
- Class: Pezizomycetes (Pecicomycetes)
- Subclass: Pezizomycetidae
- Order: Pezizales
- Family: Pezizaceae
- Genus: Peziza (Pecitsa)
- Species: Peziza varia (Pecica varia)
Fruit body: in young mushrooms it has the shape of a hemisphere, bowl-shaped. Then the fruiting body loses its regularity, opens up and takes the shape of a saucer. The edges are often torn, uneven. The inner surface of the body is smooth, brownish in color. The outer side has a matte finish, grainy. Outside, the mushroom is lighter in color than its inner surface. The diameter of the fruiting body is from 2 to 6 centimeters. The color of the fungus can be very varied from brown to grayish-brown.
Stem: Often the stem is missing but may be vestigial.
Flesh: brittle, very thin, whitish in color. The pulp does not stand out with a special taste and smell. When the pulp is enlarged in the cut with a magnifying glass, at least five layers can be distinguished.
Spores: oval, transparent spores, no lipid droplets. Spore powder: white.
Spread
Pecica is found on soil and heavily rotted wood. Prefers soil abundantly saturated with wood waste and areas after fires. It grows quite often, but in small quantities. Fruiting time: from early summer, sometimes even from late spring, to autumn. In more southern regions – from March.
Similarity
Some mycologists of advanced age argue that the Pecitsa fungus is a whole genus that includes mushrooms that were previously considered separate independent species. For example, these include Peziza micropus with a characteristic small foot, P. Repanda and others. Today the Petsica clan is becoming more united, there is a tendency towards unification. Molecular research has made it possible to combine the three species into one.
True, most of the rest of Pecits, except for Peziza badia, which is larger and darker, does not grow on wood. And if a mushroom grows on wood, then it is almost impossible to distinguish it from a changeable pepper in the field.
Edibility
It is unknown whether this mushroom is poisonous or edible. Probably, it's all about its low nutritional value. Obviously, no one even tried this mushroom – there is no motivation, due to its low culinary qualities.
Notes: The characteristic features of Pecica variace are torn edges and indefinable irregular shape. For this reason, Petsitsu is called changeable; you will not find two identical fruit bodies even with a strong desire.
Photo of the mushroom Pecitsa changeable from questions in recognition:
2019.06.15 Alexander Kozlovskikh 
2019.09.07 Alexander Kozlovskikh 
2018.11.07 Alexander 
2016.11.01 Svetlana
