Genera of Black Cups

Black Cup Fungi HymeniumExterior Interior/Flesh Spore Shape HabitatOther Other/Key character(s) Other/Key character(s)
Bulgaria inquinans (non ROD)Black, and shiningBlackGelationusElliptical,kidney shaped 12-14 x 6-7 µmon dead hardwood, usually oak  acsi pore blue in melzers  
Pseudoplectania      Globose  Other  
Plectania and Sarcosoma      Elliptical    
Plectania nannfeldtii (non ROD)BlackBlack w/ delicate tomentum  Elliptical,eguttuate at maturity 22-30 x 10-14 µmon wood  Stipitate, tapering down 
Plectania melastomaBlackBlack w/ orange granules    On conifer litterGranules turn violet in KOHGranules turn violet in KOH 
Plectania milleriDark brown to purple brown, cup shape up to 4 cm Black, hairy margin that splits, or cracks  Elliptical, eguttuate 21-26 x 9-10 µmOn duff  soil and debris adhere to bottom Dark brown hyphe extending from ectal excipulum can be found medulary to margin
Sarcosoma mexicanaBlack, up to 9cm wideWrinkled, blackGelatinous, when cut Ellipsoid, 23-34 x10-14 µmon wood or soil    
Sarcosoma latahensePurple black to blackGrayish to blackNon-gelatinous when cut, olive to white, white when dryingCapsule to Ellipsoid shape, 24-37 x 9-12 µm equttulate at maturityNot on wood (typically), litter, soil