Costa Rica Species
Cyptotrama asprata
FungiHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting

Cyptotrama asprata

Gold Tuft

(Berk.) Redhead & Ginns, 1800

Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A small, visually spectacular saprophytic mushroom easily recognized by its bright orange to lemon-yellow cap, which is densely covered with prominent, floccose, conical warts or spikes. The gills are white, distant, and deeply attached to a whitish or yellowish stem that often features a woolly-scaly base.

Added by

Anonymous Curator

Reviewed by

Under Review

Last modified by

Julia Trouin

TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.

PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Basidiomycota
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Agaricomycetes
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Agaricales
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Physalacriaceae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Cyptotrama
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Berk.) Redhead & Ginns, 1800
Record Completeness
85%
Coming soon

Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.

OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.

Native

Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.

Stable

Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.

Herbivore

EdibilityWhether this mushroom is edible, toxic, hallucinogenic, or of unknown safety. Never eat based solely on this data.

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Cap ShapeShape of the mushroom cap (pileus): convex, flat, umbonate, funnel-shaped, bell-shaped, etc.

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Hymenium TypeThe spore-bearing surface of a fungus: gills, pores, teeth, ridges, smooth, or wrinkled.

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Fruiting SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.

Year Round

Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.

Yes

Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang

Grows on decaying wood, fallen logs, and dead branches of hardwood trees. It is a pantropical and subtropical species, widely distributed across warm temperate and tropical forests of Asia, the Americas, and Australasia.

SubstrateThe organic material or host organism this fungus colonizes and decomposes. Multi-lang

Information not available in English. Help us expand this record!

BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang

A wood-dwelling saprophyte that works non-destructively to cycle complex lignocellulose elements. It fruits mostly in humid, warm periods, sending up highly visible, spiked mushrooms to optimize aerial spore dissemination.

Physical Measures

Length (cm)

0.5 - 3.0 cm

Hymenium StructuresMacro photographs of the spore-bearing surfaces used for mushroom identification.

No hymenium surface images available.

Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang

The sharp, tufted, conical spikes on the cap consist of aggregated structural hyphae that function as physical deterrents against small invertebrate grazers and shield the young pileus from excessive solar radiation.
Its intense golden-orange pigment serves as a warning sign of unpalatability and contains biochemical compounds that protect cellular functions during heavy subtropical downpours.

Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang

Deforestation and clear-cutting of tropical hardwood forests eliminate the continuous supply of rotting logs and timber substrate that the fungus absolutely requires to complete its life cycle.

Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang

As the mushroom matures, the distinct pointy spikes on the cap can become separated and break down, often leaving the edge of older specimens completely smooth and changing its aesthetic drastically.