Pseudoplectania nigrella “black cup fungus” Ascomycota

Lolo National Forest, Bitterroot Mountains, MT
March 18, 2015
Robert Niese

These cup fungi are very early bloomers here in the PNW. Some members of this genus will even pop up out of the snow before the plants have even begun to stir. These fungi are quite common, but, along with their small size and inconspicuous coloration, they are easily missed by all but the most observant hikers.