Pachyella clypeata

Copper Penny

A stalkless, cushion- to saucer-shaped brown cup fungus that sits broadly attached to water-soaked rotting wood, with only its edges free. The upper surface is sticky and medium to dark brown, sometimes reddish or purplish, and the flesh is rubbery or gelatinous. Several North American Pachyella species look almost identical and are separated by spore features.

Species profile

Edibility

Not edible

Edibility unknown; not regarded as food. Not recommended.

Never eat a wild mushroom based on a web page — confirm with an expert.

Habitat

Saprobic; alone or in small groups on rotting, usually water-soaked wood, mostly of hardwoods; spring, summer and fall.

Distribution

Help build this page

This page grows with the community. Here is what it is still missing:

Photos. None yet — moderators review each photo before it appears.Sign in to add a photo
Sightings. Spotted it in the wild? Add it to the map.Open the map
Strains. No public strains of this species on WeMush yet.

Track Your Own Copper Penny Grows

Join WeMush to log cultivation data, discover strains, and connect with fellow growers.

Join WeMush

Characteristics

Fruit body: up to 8 cm across but usually 2-4 cm, cushion-shaped when young, becoming saucer-shaped or a flattened cup; no stem; broadly attached, with only the margin lifting. Upper surface: sticky when fresh, medium to dark brown, sometimes tinged red or purple, smooth or wrinkled, fading to tan. Flesh: rubbery or gelatinous. Spores: 18-25+ x 13-16 um, smooth, elliptical, usually with two oil droplets; asci 400-500 x 20-25 um, tips bluing in Melzer's reagent or IKI, at least when young (MushroomExpert.com).