Anthracobia tristis is a species of fungus in the family Pyronemataceae, order Pezizales. It is a small to medium-sized, cup-shaped ascomycete with a dull brown to black exterior and a pale yellow to orange interior. In East and Central Texas, Anthracobia tristis typically fruits in the spring on burnt soil, ash, or charred wood, often in areas with rich organic matter. The fungus is relatively rare in the region, but can be found in a variety of habitats, including open woods, fields, and along roadsides. Fruit bodies are usually 1-4 cm in diameter and have a short, stout stalk. Spores are yellow to orange in color and measure 18-24 x 10-14 µm.
Small orange cup mushrooms Anthracobia tristis or may be A. maurilabra on a bonfire site before first lake, on old logging road on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, January 16, 2022 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Small orange Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis or may be A. maurilabra on a bonfire site on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, January 16, 2022 Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Asci of a small orange Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis or may be A. maurilabra collected 1/26/2022 from a bonfire site on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, January 26, 2022
Asci and paraphyses through a microscope of a small orange Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis or may be A. maurilabra collected 1/26/2022 from a bonfire site on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, January 26, 2022
Spores of a small orange Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis or may be A. maurilabra collected 1/26/2022 from a bonfire site on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, January 26, 2022
Asci and paraphyses of a small orange Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis or may be A. maurilabra collected 1/26/2022 from a bonfire site on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, January 26, 2022
Asci of a small orange Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis or may be A. maurilabra together with green globular cells of algae(?) under a microscope collected 1/26/2022 from a bonfire site on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, January 26, 2022
Orange Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis on a bonfire site under juniper trees near the lake in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, May 9, 2024 P4-746, Bryan, Texas 77807, United States
Close-up of orange Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis on a bonfire site under juniper trees near the lake in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, May 9, 2024 P4-746, Bryan, Texas 77807, United States
Orange Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis among charcoal on a bonfire site under juniper trees near the lake in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, May 9, 2024 P4-746, Bryan, Texas 77807, United States
Orange Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis on burned soil under juniper trees near the lake in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, May 9, 2024 P4-746, Bryan, Texas 77807, United States
Orange cups of Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis on burned soil under juniper trees near the lake in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, May 9, 2024 P4-746, Bryan, Texas 77807, United States
Orange Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis and larger cups of Plicaria carbonaria on burned soil under juniper trees near the lake in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, May 9, 2024 P4-746, Bryan, Texas 77807, United States
Dark cup of Ascomycete fungus Plicaria carbonaria and orange cups of Anthracobia tristis on burned soil under juniper trees near the lake in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, May 9, 2024 P4-746, Bryan, Texas 77807, United States
Close-up of orange cups of fungus Anthracobia tristis on burned soil under juniper trees near the lake in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, May 9, 2024 P4-746, Bryan, Texas 77807, United States
Asci with spores (at low magnification)of pale brown Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis collected in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, May 9, 2024
Asci with spores of pale brown Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis collected in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, May 9, 2024
Spores inside asci of brown Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis collected in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, May 9, 2024
Spores (in lugol) of pale brown Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis collected in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, May 9, 2024
Spores of smaller orange cups of Ascomycete fungus Anthracobia tristis collected in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, May 9, 2024
AI-generated summary of observations
Observations of the fungus Anthracobia tristis were made in East and Central Texas, primarily on bonfire sites. The fungus was found growing on burned soil and charcoal under juniper trees near lakes. In Sam Houston National Forest, it was observed on January 16 and 26, 2022, with small orange cups and asci containing spores. Similar observations were made in Lake Bryan Park on May 9, 2024, where the fungus grew among charcoal and burned soil. Microscopic examination revealed asci, paraphyses, and spores. The fungus was often found alongside other species, such as Plicaria carbonaria. Spore characteristics were also observed under a microscope, including size, shape, and color. Overall, Anthracobia tristis appears to thrive in disturbed environments with burned soil and charcoal.