Dark Light
Gray Urn Fungi
Urnula craterium

This fungi is actually a parasite. It causes a canker in oaks, hickories, beech, basswood and other hardwoods. When the infected branches fall to the ground, it then fruits.

Although this is called “gray urn” it’s definitely more of a brownish-black color.

Alternate Names: Devil's Urn
Size: 3-10 cm tall
Family: Sarcosomataceae 
Habitat: Fruits on decaying hardwood (logs, sticks, limbs, stumps).
Identification: More of a brownish-black than gray color, the fruiting body is shaped like a deep urn, which open bigger as the fungi ages.
All text and photos copyright © 2022 Middle Way Nature Reserve, unless noted.
Related Posts
Barometer Earthstar

Barometer Earthstar

So named because of it's peculiar ability to read the air humidity, rising up, opening and closing depending on moisture levels.
Orange mushroom

Orange Mycena

Little teeny weeny orange mushrooms and they are all like heyyyyy (but like in a really high pitched voice)

Shaggy Parasol

Looks almost like an "Old Man in the Woods", but this is the Woman Carrying a Vintage Umbrella version