vs

Ciboria rufofusca compared with Ciboria viridifusca

Key Differences

is Not Evaluated while is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank
Kingdom same	Fungi (Fungi)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum same	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class same	Leotiomycetes (Leotiomycetes)	Leotiomycetes (Leotiomycetes)
Order same	Helotiales (Helotiales)	Helotiales (Helotiales)
Family same	Sclerotiniaceae	Sclerotiniaceae
Genus same	Ciboria	Ciboria
Species	Ciboria rufofusca	Ciboria viridifusca

Evolutionary Relationship

and share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Ciboria.

View Genus: Ciboria

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Ciboria rufofusca is a small discomycete in the family Sclerotiniaceae, recorded from temperate Europe. The species is a saprotrophic cup fungus that fruits on fallen plant material, with records suggesting an association with catkins or mast of various deciduous trees, consistent with other members of the Ciboria genus. The fruiting bodies are stalked cups with a reddish-brown to ochre coloration, giving the species its name, which translates roughly as red-brown Ciboria. The species has not been formally assessed by the IUCN. As with many small discomycetes, Ciboria rufofusca is likely under-recorded due to its inconspicuous size, brief fruiting season, and the specialist knowledge required for identification. Microscopic features—spore morphology, paraphysis structure, and excipular anatomy—are essential for distinguishing this species from close relatives. The genus Ciboria belongs to Sclerotiniaceae, a family that also includes major plant pathogens, though Ciboria species themselves are saprotrophic decomposers rather than parasites. European temperate woodlands support a diverse community of substrate-specific discomycetes, many of which remain poorly documented. The conservation status and population trends of Ciboria rufofusca are unknown, as systematic surveys of small cup fungi across Europe are limited. It likely plays a role in decomposing woodland organic matter and cycling nutrients within forest floor ecosystems.

Ciboria viridifusca is a saprotrophic discomycete in the family Sclerotiniaceae, found in temperate Europe. It produces small, stalked cup-shaped fruiting bodies with an olive-brown to greenish-brown (viridifusca: green-brown) coloration, which distinguishes it from other members of the genus with more uniformly tan or chestnut coloration. The species fruits on fallen catkins or other plant debris in moist deciduous woodland, typically in spring or early summer following the fall of host plant material. It is classified as Least Concern, indicating stable populations within its European range. Ciboria viridifusca contributes to saprotrophic communities in woodland ecosystems, decomposing fine organic litter and participating in the cycling of carbon and nutrients. Like other Ciboria species, it is a specialist saprotroph closely tied to the availability of suitable host plant substrates. Identification requires microscopic examination, and this species may be confused with related taxa without careful analysis of spore dimensions and color. The genus Ciboria is part of the broader Sclerotiniaceae family, which is well-studied owing to its inclusion of economically important plant pathogens, though the Ciboria species themselves are benign decomposers. Records of this fungus are scattered across central Europe, and accurate distribution mapping requires systematic mycological surveys. Conservation of mature deciduous woodland benefits discomycete diversity broadly.