Byssonectria fusispora

The fruitbody is orange, disk-like to somewhat cup-like, without a stem and may grow to about five millimetres in diameter. The margin is raised and is a somewhat ragged or frill-like.

This species is known from many countries in a variety of habitats. The fruitbodies have been found on soil (particularly, but not exclusively, in burnt areas) and on plant debris.

Look-alikes

Identification relies on microscopic features. This is not the only species of Byssonectria in Australia and Lamprospora and Octospora are two other genera with fruitbodies of similar colour and form. Species of the latter pair of genera are parasitic on bryophytes. That’s not the case with Byssonectria fusispora.

There are also some genera with small, yellow/orange, disk-like to cup-like fruitbodies that lack the ragged edge. In these the edge may be smooth or bear numerous hairs or bristles.