Cheilymenia fimicola
A tiny disc-like ascomycete fungus. The fruitbodies are flat or shallowly concave discs, 2 to 4 mm across and 0.5 to 1.5 mm tall; orange; sessile; usually in groups. The fertile (upper) surface is bright orange and smooth; the lower (infertile) surface is slightly paler and covered in fine hairs, especially around the margin, where they stand more or less upright and taper to a sharp point; variably septate; forked at the base.
Several other ascomycetous disc fungi also colonise animal dung. Few can be identified from macroscopic features alone, and so microscopic examination of asci, spores and other cell structures is usually necessary.
Common Eyelash fungus (Scutellinia scutellata) has blackish hairs around its rim and grows on rotten timber.
Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters. Microscopic examination of asci, spores and other cell structures is usually necessary.
Found on the dung of most herbivores but especially on cow-pats, sometimes in their hundreds.
May to early November in Britain.
Fairly frequent and widespread in Britain.
Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.
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Species profile
- Species group:
- Fungi
- Kingdom:
- Fungi
- Order:
- Pezizales
- Family:
- Pyronemataceae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 2
- First record:
- 12/11/2022 (Bell, Melinda)
- Last record:
- 03/01/2025 (Bell, Melinda)
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