The Goblet (Pseudoclitocybe cyathiformis) is a late-season funnel mushroom with a deep, dark grey-brown cup of a cap on a tall, fibrous stem. The cap margin stays inrolled for a long time, and the greyish-buff gills run down the stem and often fork. It grows in leaf litter and on rotting wood and woody debris under broadleaf trees, and is at its best from autumn into winter, sometimes lingering into early spring.
The dark colours, forking gills and woody habitat help separate it from the true funnels (Clitocybe), several of which are poisonous and tend to be paler. The Clouded Funnel (Clitocybe nebularis) is larger and greyer. Some guides list the Goblet as edible, but reactions have been reported, and pale funnels are a dangerous group to learn on.
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Distribution
Widespread and common
Habitat
Under broadleaf trees
Etymology
Pseudoclitocybe means 'false Clitocybe', as it resembles the true funnels; Clitocybe itself is Greek for 'sloping head'. cyathiformis is Latin for 'cup-shaped', which also gives it its English name.
Cap
Deeply funnel-shaped with a margin that stays inrolled for a long time; darker when wet.
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Flattened, Umbilicate |
| Surface | Smooth |
| Width | 2 - 6.5 cm |
| Margin | Smooth |
Gills
Decurrent and often forked, paler than the cap.
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Attachment | Decurrent |
| Spacing | Close |
| Edge | Smooth |
Flesh
Thin and grey-brown, rather tough in the stem.
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Odour | Slight bitter almonds |
| Taste | Mild |
Stem
Tall and fibrous with silky streaks, slightly thickened at the base.
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 - 9 cm |
| Width | 5 - 10 mm |
| Texture | Fibrillose |
| Shape | Cylindric |
Spores
| Colour | |
|---|---|
| Type | Amyloid |
| Shape | Ellipsoid |
| Ornamentation | Smooth |
| Size | 8.5-10.5 x 5-6.5 μm |
Classification
- ↳ Phylum: Basidiomycota
- ↳ Subphylum: Agaricomycotina
- ↳ Class: Agaricomycetes
- ↳ Subclass: Agaricomycetidae
- ↳ Order: Agaricales
- ↳ Family: Pseudoclitocybaceae
- ↳ Genus: Pseudoclitocybe
Synonyms
- Agaricus cinerascens Batsch
- Agaricus cyathiformis Bull.
- Agaricus ectypus sensu Cooke (1870, 1882)
- Agaricus sordidus
- Agaricus sordidus Bolton sensu Bolton (1788) non sensu Fr. (1821)
- Agaricus tardus Pers.
- Cantharellula cyathiformis (Bull. ex Fr.) Sing.
- Cantharellula cyathiformis (Bull.) Singer
- Clitocybe cinerascens (Batsch) Sacc.
- Clitocybe cinerascens Batsch
- Clitocybe cyathiformis (Bull. ex Fr.) Kummer
- Clitocybe cyathiformis (Bull.) P. Kumm.
- Clitocybe cyathiformis var. cinerascens (Batsch) P. Karst.
- Omphalia cyathiformis (Bull. ex Fr.) Quel.
- Omphalia cyathiformis (Bull.) Quél.
- Omphalia tarda (Pers.) Gray
- Pseudoclitocybe cyathiformis (Bull. ex Fr.) Singer
Reference Sources
T. Læssøe, J. H. Peterson (2019) Fungi of Temperate Europe Vol. 1. Princeton University Press.
G. Kibby (2020) Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain & Europe Vol. 2. Geoffrey Kibby.
Genus Pseudoclitocybe
No other species found in this genus.
