Guepiniopsis buccina

Scientific name: Guepiniopsis buccina (Pers.) L.L. Kenn.
Derivation of name: Buccin means a "trumpet," perhaps in
reference to its trumpet-like shape.
Synonyms: Peziza buccina Pers.  
Common name(s):  
Phylum:   Basidiomycota
Order:   Dacrymycetales
Family:   Dacrymycetaceae
Occurrence on wood substrate: Saprobic; scattered to
grouped on dead branches of deciduous trees; summer.  
Dimensions: Stalked, up to 1 cm tall with apical portion
about as wide, cup-shaped to cone-shaped.   
Sterile outer surface: Yellow or orange, ribbed.         
Fertile inner surface: Yellow or orange.
Edibility: Unknown. 
Comments: While resembling ascomycete cup fungi, this
tough, gelatinous fungus bears tuning-fork basidia, making
it a basidiomycete. This specimen was found near Hickory
Run State Park, PA. Ellis and Ellis describe G. buccina as
the only one of three species in the genus that grows on
deciduous wood. Apparently not common in the Northeast,
it is the only Guepiniopsis species recorded during NEMF
forays and it was only found two times (Kerhonkson, NY
and Rindge, NH).

Figure 1. Guepiniopsis buccina growing on a dead
hardwood branch. Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 2. Guepiniopsis buccina grows singly or in clusters.
Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 3. The stalked fruit bodies form flattened to
cup-shaped apical portions. The basidia are confined to the
flattened areas or to the inside of the cups. Photo © Gary
Emberger.

Figure 4. The lower surface of Guepiniopsis buccina is
described as ribbed. While not obvious on the fresh
specimens, these dried specimens are distinctly ribbed.
Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 5.A different specimen of Guepiniopsis buccina.
Photo © John Plischke III.