vs Erlenzäpfchen-Becherling

Ciboria amentacea compared with Ciboria viridifusca

Key Differences

is Not Evaluated while Erlenzäpfchen-Becherling is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Erlenzäpfchen-Becherling
Kingdom same	Fungi (Pilze)	Fungi (Pilze)
Phylum same	Ascomycota (Schlauchpilze)	Ascomycota (Schlauchpilze)
Class same	Leotiomycetes (Leotiomycetes)	Leotiomycetes (Leotiomycetes)
Order same	Helotiales (Helotiales)	Helotiales (Helotiales)
Family same	Sclerotiniaceae	Sclerotiniaceae
Genus same	Ciboria	Ciboria
Species	Ciboria amentacea	Ciboria viridifusca

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Ansehen Genus: Ciboria

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Erlenzäpfchen-Becherling

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Erlenzäpfchen-Becherling
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Erlenzäpfchen-Becherling

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Ciboria amentacea is a small cup fungus in the family Sclerotiniaceae, found across temperate Europe. This inconspicuous discomycete produces tiny, stalked, cup-shaped apothecia that emerge in late winter to early spring, typically from the catkins (aments) of alder (Alnus) or willow (Salix) that have fallen into standing water or wet soil. The fruiting bodies are pale brownish to tan, rarely exceeding a few millimeters in diameter, and are easily overlooked. The species name amentacea derives from the Latin word for catkin, reflecting its substrate specificity. Ciboria amentacea is saprotrophic, decomposing plant material in riparian and wetland habitats, contributing to nutrient cycling in these sensitive ecosystems. It has not been formally assessed by the IUCN. The genus Ciboria belongs to the broader Sclerotiniaceae family, which also includes economically important plant pathogens; however, Ciboria species are generally not regarded as pathogenic. Records of this fungus are scattered across central and northern Europe, with the fruiting season heavily dependent on winter temperatures and snowmelt timing. Its early spring phenology makes it an important early food source for springtail and mite communities. Identification requires microscopic examination of spore morphology and paraphysis structure.

Erlenzäpfchen-Becherling

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.