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Mushroom Monday: Green Elf Cup (Chlorociboria aeruginascens)
Today’s Mushroom Monday mushroom is the Green Elf Cup (Chlorociboria aeruginascens). It’s known for its bright appearance and the after effects of its decomposition of wood. Learn more about it in today’s TrueTreeTalk blog post.
The Color
Chlorociboria aeruginascens is a saprophytic fungus that thrives on decaying wood. It gets its striking blue-green hue from a pigment called chlorociborin, which forms as the fungus breaks down wood. This pigment not only gives the fungus its unique color but also helps protect it from environmental damage. The hue stands out most on decayed wood, where the pigment concentrates, and this is the most distinguishing feature of the mushroom. In many cases, you will see this pigment left behind rather than the fruiting body of the mushroom.
The Caps
Chlorociboria aeruginascens mushrooms feature small, cup-shaped caps that are about 1 to 2 centimeters wide. These caps are unstructured and variable in appearance, with a bright blue-green color from the chlorociborin pigment. The edges of the caps can be wavy, giving them a distinctive, funky look. Each cap starts off rounded, but as they mature, they flatten out into a disc shape.
Where Can They Be Found?
Chlorociboria aeruginascens mushrooms are found in temperate regions on decaying hardwood, such as oak and beech. It prospers in forested areas, woodlands, and damp environments with dead wood, often growing on old logs and fallen branches.
Did You Know?
Renaissance Italian craftsmen used wood stained by Chlorociboria aeruginascens, known as “green oak”, for vibrant green inlays in their art. Modern research shows that wood from 14th- and 15th-century pieces matches samples from northern Minnesota!
If you liked learning about Green Elf Cup mushrooms, check out our other Mushroom Monday posts on our TrueTreeTalk blog. Follow us on Facebook to keep up with these and other posts.
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