Bonfire Cauliflower

Bonfire Cauliflower Peziza proteana f. sparassoides (Boud.) Korf (illustrated 35% life size) Fruit body 3–12cm across, up to 25cm high, extremely convoluted, sessile; inner, spore-bearing surface whitish with ochraceous tints, smooth, outer flushed pinkish, scurfy; brittle. Spores 10–13×6–7¼, minutely warted, containing 2 oil drops. Asci 300×11¼, blued at the tip by iodine. Habitat on fire sites; autumn. Rare. Edible.