URNULA CRATERIUM Meaning and
Definition
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Urnula craterium, commonly known as the urnula fungus or the devil's urn, is a species of ascomycete fungus belonging to the family Sarcosomataceae. It has a distinctive urn-shaped fruiting body, hence its common name "urnula." This fungus can be found in temperate regions and is often observed growing on decaying wood, particularly on hardwoods like oak and beech.
The fruiting body of urnula craterium typically measures around 2 to 6 centimeters in height. It is characterized by a rounded, hollow receptacle that tapers at the base and ends in an elongated neck-like opening. The outer surface of the urnula is dark brown to black in color, often covered with small projections or tiny bumps. On the inside, it bears small, flask-shaped asci that contain numerous spores. These spores are usually hyaline or colorless and ellipsoid to cylindrical in shape.
As an saprobic fungus, urnula craterium primarily feeds on decaying organic matter, particularly wood. It plays an important ecological role in the process of decomposition and nutrient cycling within forest ecosystems. Although not considered edible or of economic value, urnula fungus is appreciated by mushroom enthusiasts for its unique and aesthetically pleasing form. Due to its fragile nature, it is often collected for observation, study, or for inclusion in mushroom displays or terrariums.
Common Misspellings for URNULA CRATERIUM
- yrnula craterium
- hrnula craterium
- jrnula craterium
- irnula craterium
- 8rnula craterium
- 7rnula craterium
- uenula craterium
- udnula craterium
- ufnula craterium
- utnula craterium
- u5nula craterium
- u4nula craterium
- urbula craterium
- urmula craterium
- urjula craterium
- urhula craterium
- urnyla craterium
- urnhla craterium
- urnjla craterium
Etymology of URNULA CRATERIUM
The word "Urnula Craterium" is derived from Latin and Greek.
The genus name "Urnula" comes from the Latin word "urna", meaning "urn" or "vessel", which refers to the shape of the fruiting bodies produced by the fungi belonging to this genus. This name was used by Swedish botanist Elias Fries in the early 19th century to describe certain cup fungi with urn-shaped fruiting bodies.
The species name "Craterium" is derived from the Greek word "krater", which means "cup" or "bowl". This is in reference to the cup-shaped or crater-like appearance of the fruiting bodies of this particular species. The name was given by the German mycologist Leopold Fuckel in the 19th century.
