Peziza domiciliana

Peziza domiciliana Cooke 1877 – The carpet cup

(Other names previously used for this fungus)

This fungus is not necessarily a delight to find as it commonly grows indoors and surprises people with its appearance in carpets, in showers, on furniture, even on clothing. It is a common household fungus that can grow on a very wide range of substrates including sand, cement, plaster, coal dust and walls. Although this fungus prefers alkaline conditions it can pretty much grow everywhere where there is constant moisture, nutrients and a porous surface.

Peziza domiciliana belongs to a large family in the Class Ascomycota. Young specimens are cup shaped with a central depression, a short stalk and a rubbery texture. The older the specimen the flatter they get and are normally 2-10 cm in diameter. The yellowish to brownish colour and shape, especially of older specimens, can be reminiscent of pancakes. They often grow in clusters.

Although the fungus is not considered to be poisonous, it is at best thought to be inedible due to its rubbery texture. Although it may not be poisonous, there is an open question about whether the spores can cause allergic reactions. The spores of many fungi which occur indoors are known to be in the wide range of allergens involved in the so-called ‘sick building syndrome’. No research has been carried out specifically on the spores of the carpet cup however.

The spores in this fungus are forcibly released and can often be seen as a brief powdery cloud when the fruit bodies are touched. Removing the fruit bodies would remove the source of the spores but the main body of the fungus will still remain growing within the substrate and will persist until one or more of the growing requirements are no longer available.

Occurrence:

The fungus can be found all year around.

Habitat:

Usually associated with buildings, grows on various material as long as they are damp.

Distribution:

The species is probably one of the most ubiquitous fungi indoors but there are only 39 records on the NBN with one from Scotland (53 records on the more up to date FRDBI but still just the one from Scotland). Come on folks we can do better than that!

Please remember to submit your records to your local recording group or via the Scottish Fungi online recording form.

By Peggy Ehrlich and Andy Taylor

January 2016

Carpet cup - growing out of concrete! (photo courtesy of Stirling Council Ranger Service)

More photos at Mushroom Expert.com

Peziza domiciliana distribution map

The National Biodiversity Network Gateway records from FRDBI andHBRG datasets are shown on the above map but note that more recent records may be available via the Gateway (see terms and conditions at http://data.nbn.org.uk). Data providers and the NBN Trust bear no responsibility for any further analysis or interpretation of the information in the map.

Note also that additional records may be available on the Association of British Fungus Groups CATE2 database, but these are not available via the NBN Gateway.