Hemitrichia calyculata

The hypothallus is dark red. Mature sporangia are on slender stalks. The stalk base is often red. The top of the stalk carries a shallow cup. It widens suddenly and may have a ragged folded back edge. This is seen clearly when the spores and capillitium fibres fall out.

The capillitium has a network of rather elastic yellow threads in an anastomosing branching pattern. Spores look yellow in masses and paler under a microscope. 

Capillitium fibres have spirals that appear to be smooth except at very high magnification.

Spores appear round and very finely spiny.

Immature capillitium smooth.

other Hemitrichia species. H clavata has reticulated spores and deep cups widening quite gradually from a strong stalk

microscopy

Dark red plasmodium. Immature sporangia orange and have smooth surface.

Very shallow cup,widens suddenly. Empty older ones show folded back untidy edges.

Reddish base to stalk. Yellowish upper part.

Mass of elastic yellow fibres inside capitillium and many yellow spores

Microscopic examination is needed. We recommend that this is verified by an expert before submitting to NatureSpot

Found on fallen deciduous trunks and large branches. Favours beech and also found on poplar

winter