The spores are thick and oblong.
This is a very interesting little plant. It is quite widely distributed. I have had it from several states, including New England. It is easily identified by the striations, or lines, on the inside of the cup, being the only species thus marked by internal striæ. The peridioles of the species fill only the lower part of the cup, below the striations.
Cyathus vernicosus. D. C.
Varnished Cyathus.
Figure 442.—Cyathus vernicosus.
Vernicosus means varnished. It is bell-shaped, base narrowly subsessile, broadly open above, somewhat wavy; externally rusty-brown, silky tomentose, finally becoming smooth, internally lead-colored.
The sporangia are blackish, frequently somewhat pale, even; covering rather thick, sprinkled with a grayish meal. Spores elliptical, colorless, 12–14×10µ. I have frequently seen the ground in gardens and stubble-fields covered with these beautiful little plants. The quite firm, thick, and flaring cup will easily distinguish the species. The eggs or peridioles are black and quite large, appearing white because covered with a thin white membrane. Found in late summer and fall. The plants in Figure 442 were photographed by Prof. G. D. Smith.