# Orange Peel Fungus (*Aleuria*)

Orange Peel Fungus looks just like a bright orange peel! It grows on the ground and is quite colorful.

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 2
- **Habitat:** Sunny places
- **Also known as:** Orange Cup Fungus, Orange Peel Cup

![Orange Peel Fungus](https://media.snappit.app/site-media-v1/c2986499c172d7422af91cb1230717a4cd020f847ee62a57dcb5f04295ef150b/image-560x560/w-560.webp)

## Appearance

The Orange Peel Fungus is a brilliant orange, cup-shaped fungus that resembles a discarded orange peel. Its wavy, irregular edges and bright color make it highly distinctive on the forest floor or disturbed ground. The inner surface is smooth, while the outer surface is often lighter and fuzzy.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Ascomycota
- **Class:** Pezizomycetes
- **Order:** Pezizales
- **Family:** Pyronemataceae
- **Genus:** Aleuria

## Interesting facts

- It gets its name from its uncanny resemblance to a discarded orange peel!
- It's a type of 'cup fungus,' known for its distinctive open, cup-like shape.
- This fungus loves to grow in disturbed soil along paths and gardens.
- You might hear a tiny 'puff' if you tap a mature fungus, releasing a cloud of spores!

## Special abilities

- **Decomposition Dynamo:** Orange Peel Fungus can break down tough organic matter because of special enzymes that help them recycle nutrients.
- **Spore Shooter:** Orange Peel Fungus has tiny spore sacks that burst with a puff, helping them spread their spores far and wide.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 1-3 cm
- **Edible:** edible
- **Size:** 2-10 cm
- **Growth Substrate:** soil
- **Season:** Fall
- **Spore Color:** White

## Ecological connections

- **Depends on:** Common Oak (*Quercus robur*) — Decomposes fallen oak leaves and woody debris.
- **Eaten by:** [Black Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-slug) (*Arion ater*) — Slugs occasionally feed on the soft fruiting bodies.
- **Symbiotic with:** Hay Bacillus (*Bacillus subtilis*) — Works with soil bacteria to cycle nutrients efficiently.

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Spore Producing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spore-producing): Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Orange Peel Fungus?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Orange Peel Fungus?

1-3 cm

### Is Orange Peel Fungus edible?

edible

### How big is Orange Peel Fungus?

2-10 cm

### Where is Orange Peel Fungus usually found?

Sunny places

### What does Orange Peel Fungus grow on?

soil

### When is Orange Peel Fungus in season?

Fall

### What color are Orange Peel Fungus spores?

White

## Where to spot

- [Silvermine](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/silvermine) — Connecticut, US · Neighborhood
- [Wilton Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wilton-center-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District
- [Skandinavisk Dyrepark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/skandinavisk-dyrepark) — Central Denmark Region, DK · Zoo

[View all places to see Orange Peel Fungus](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/orange-peel-fungus)

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Orange Peel Fungus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orange-peel-fungus)