Cheilymenia granulata belongs to a group of fungi known as apothecial fungi, meaning it produces cup-shaped spore-bearing structures rather than mushrooms with caps and gills.
It is classified within the family Pyronemataceae, in the order Pezizales, part of the phylum Ascomycota. This places it among the sac fungi, a lineage distinguished by spores formed inside microscopic sac-like cells.
Though it may not draw the same attention as larger, more conspicuous fungi, Cheilymenia granulata represents the diversity found within the Pezizales, a group that includes many small but distinctive cup fungi.
Fruiting Body and Identification
Cheilymenia granulata is recognized by its small, cup- or disc-shaped fruiting body, a feature typical of this genus of small discomycetes.
The outer surface of the cup often shows a granular texture, which gives the species its epithet granulata, distinguishing it from smoother-surfaced relatives within the same genus.
Distribution and Habitat
Observations of Cheilymenia granulata show a clear seasonal pattern, with numbers climbing steadily from spring through summer and peaking sharply in September, when recorded sightings are highest. Counts rise from the low hundreds in the first half of the year to nearly ten times that in early autumn before falling away again by December.
This pattern suggests the species is most frequently encountered in late summer and early autumn, though these figures reflect presence observations rather than a measure of abundance or a complete picture of its range.
Fun Facts
- Cheilymenia granulata belongs to the family Pyronemataceae, a group of cup fungi within the order Pezizales.
- Recorded sightings of this species peak sharply in September, suggesting a strong late-summer to early-autumn presence.
Photos
Photographs from via iNaturalist, licensed under CC0 1.0., by Michel Langeveld via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Gijs Romijn via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Salem via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Charles F Gunn via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by sharoncooper via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Cara Ennis via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Johan Adler via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Henry Miller via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by Daniel Ghyselinck via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., by CaracalShan via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., and by Dave Shenton via iNaturalist, licensed under CC BY 4.0., credited on each photo.
Ecology and classification
Classification
- Phylum
- Ascomycota
- Class
- Pezizomycetes
- Order
- Pezizales
- Family
- Pyronemataceae
- Genus
- Cheilymenia
- Species
- Cheilymenia granulata
Sources
- GBIF Species names and classification
- iNaturalist Photos
- Wikidata Common names and conservation status
- Wikipedia Summary extract
