vs

Ciboria amentacea compared with Ciboria rufofusca

Taxonomic Classification

Rank
Kingdom same	Fungi (เห็ดรา)	Fungi (เห็ดรา)
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 amentacea	Ciboria rufofusca

Evolutionary Relationship

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

ดู: Genus: Ciboria

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

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 Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across 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.

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.