Orange peel fungus or Golden cup

The fruiting body is cup-shaped, irregular, 2–10 cm across (sometimes up to 12). When young it is closed and globular; as it grows it opens, first into a deep cup, then becomes saucer-shaped, and in old age it crumples and curls at the edges. The inner surface is bright orange, smooth and shiny. The outer surface is paler, pale yellowish-orange, finely granular.

The fruiting body is cup- or goblet-shaped, 1-3 cm across and 0.5-1.5 cm tall, with no clear division into cap and stem. The inner surface (hymenium) is smooth, silky-shiny, bright orange to flame-yellow. The outer surface is paler, creamy orange, with fine whitish down. The rim of the cup is thin, curled downward in young specimens and flattening out or slightly wavy in mature ones.

The spore-bearing layer lines the inner, concave surface of the cup. Cup fungi have no gills or tubes — spores form in asci directly on the surface. Spore print white.

A smooth hymenium covers the inner surface of the cup. The spores ripen in microscopic sacs (asci). The spore print is colorless to pale yellow. The spores are shot out at the slightest change in air pressure or moisture — a trait shared by all Pezizales.

There is no stem, or it is very short, a small bump at the base of the cup. The fruiting body sits directly or almost directly on the soil.

The stem is almost absent — the fruiting body is sessile or has a short, narrowed base 2-5 mm tall, barely sunk into the soil.

The flesh is thin, waxy-brittle, orange or paler than the outer surface. Very fragile — it falls apart at the slightest pressure.

The flesh is thin (1-2 mm), waxy, brittle and orange-yellowish. It doesn't change color when cut. No distinct smell or taste.

The smell is faint, neutral or slightly sweetish, with no distinct notes. The taste is mild, bland, not bitter.

Faint, neutral, indistinct. Not tasted — the mushroom is inedible.