Fungi cup : The Colors of the Rainy Season

The Fungi Cup mushroom can be commonly found in the area of Khao Sok National Park. Based on quality patrols by officials, a large number of these mushrooms have been discovered in the area, as the park’s environment is characterized by humid rainforests. The moist climate is conducive to the growth of this mushroom species, which can be found on decaying wood and soil covered with leaf litter.

Scientific Name: Cookeina sulcipes (Bk.) Kuntze  

Family: SARCOACYPHACEAE  

Morphological Characteristics:

• Cap: Cup- or cone-shaped, measuring 10-35 millimeters in diameter and 10-20 millimeters in depth. The color ranges from red to orange, with the inside being darker than the outside, gradually fading towards the edge of the stem. The surface is smooth, and the edge of the cap is surrounded by short hairs, approximately 2-3 rows around the rim.
• Stem: Cylindrical, measuring 15-38 millimeters in length and 1-3 millimeters in diameter. The entire stem is white, with the stem attached to the cap at the center. The surface of the stem is smooth and covered with hairs throughout.
• Habitat: Found on decayed wood, growing either in clusters or individually.
• Ecological Role: Acts as a decomposer in the ecosystem, facilitating the cycling of minerals in the soil.