Kingdom: Fungi

Bristly Tropical Cup Fungus

Apothecial, stalked cup fungus 1 – 3 cm in diameter held atop a slender, whitish stipe 2 – 5 cm tall. Cup exterior and limb densely covered with fine white to translucent bristles (setae) 1–2 mm long; inner hymenial surface smooth, vivid salmon‑pink to orange. Flesh thin, rubbery; when hydrated the cup margin flares outward. Asci cylindrical, eight‑spored; ascospores hyaline, ellipsoid, 40 – 48 × 6 – 8 µm with guttules. Emits no noticeable odour. Often fruits in small, trooping clusters on well‑decayed hardwood sticks.

Veiled Lady Mushroom

Erect, phalloid basidiome 15 – 25 cm tall arising from an ovate “egg.” Stipe white, spongy, honey‑combed (2–3 cm Ø) supporting an olive‑brown, slimy gleba on a conical cap (4–5 cm Ø) with reticulate pits. A delicate white lace‑like indusium (8–20 cm long) hangs from beneath the cap, forming a cylindrical skirt that may reach the substrate. Volva thick, white; base rooting. Gleba emits strong carrion‑like odour to attract dipteran vectors. Spores hyaline, elliptical, 3.5 × 2.0 µm. Basidiome matures rapidly (≈ 10 h) and collapses within 1–2 days.