Galiella rufa

Scientific name:  Galiella rufa (Schweinitz) Nannfeldt
and Korf
Derivation of name:  Ruf- means "reddish."
Synonyms:  Bulgaria rufa Schweinitz
Common name(s):  Hairy rubber cup
Phylum:   Ascomycota
Order:   Pezizales
Family:   Sarcosomataceae
Occurrence on wood substrate:  Saprobic; small
groups or clusters on branches and buried deciduous
wood; spring through summer.  
Dimensions:   Up to 3-4 cm wide and high, shallowly
cup-shaped when mature. 
Sterile outer surface:  Blackish-brown; densely hairy.
Fertile inner surface:  Reddish to reddish-brown to
orange-brown to tan; smooth.
Edibility: Not edible.
Comments: The inner flesh is thick and gelatinous, giving
the fungus a rubbery feel.

More information at MushroomExpert.com:

Figure 1. A typical cluster of hairy rubber cups.
Photo © William Roody.

Figure 2. Note the "toothed" margin on the two larger
specimens and the almost closed immature specimen.
Photo © Pam Kaminski.


Figure 3. This specimen has been bisected to reveal the
gelatinous flesh.

Figure 4. Another bisected specimen showing the gelatinous
flesh, tannish fertile layer, and margin of "toothlike" appendages.