Synonyms: Aleuria omphalodes, Humaria omphalodes, Peziza confluens, Peziza omphalodes, Peziza rosella, Pyronema confluens, Pyronema marianum, Tapesia omphalodes.
Pyronema omphalodes is a species of fungus in the family Pyronemataceae, characterized by small to medium-sized, cup-shaped ascocarps with orange to yellowish-orange colors. In East and Central Texas, it typically fruits on burned soil, wood ash, or charred plant material, often appearing in large numbers after wildfires or prescribed burns. The fungus grows singly or in groups, with ascocarps measuring 0.5-2 cm in diameter, and is usually found from February to May, with a peak in March and April.
Mushrooms Pyronema omphalodes on a bonfire site on Lone Star Hiking Trail near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, February 9, 2019
Close up of Pyronema omphalodes mushrooms on a bonfire site on Lone Star Hiking Trail near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, February 9, 2019
Pyronema omphalodes mushrooms in an ash pit left from a recently burnt pine in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, November 28, 2019
Fungus Pyronema omphalodes in an ash pit left from a recently burnt pine in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, November 28, 2019
Orange texture of fungus Pyronema omphalodes in an ash pit left from a recently burnt pine in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, November 28, 2019
Close up of fungus Pyronema omphalodes in an ash pit left from a recently burnt pine in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, November 28, 2019
Fungus Pyronema omphalodes on a bonfire site of a hiker's campground on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 11, 2020
Fungus Pyronema omphalodes on a bonfire site at a primitive camping ground on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 10, 2020
Orange Ascomycete mushrooms Pyronema omphalodes in sand on burnt ground near Lost Pines Loop Trail in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, February 28, 2021
Ascomycete mushrooms Pyronema omphalodes on burnt ground near Lost Pines Loop Trail in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, February 28, 2021
Ascomycete mushrooms Pyronema omphalodes in sand and ashes of burnt ground near Lost Pines Loop Trail in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, February 28, 2021
Bonfire fungus Pyronema omphalodes on a hiker's campsite on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 7, 2021
Mushrooms Pyronema omphalodes on a bonfire site on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 7, 2021
Ascomycete fungus Pyronema omphalodes on a bonfire site near a small pond on Sand Branch Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, March 28, 2021
Ascomycete fungus Pyronema omphalodes or may be P. domesticum on a site of bonfire on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, April 18, 2021
Rosy crust of Ascomycete fungus Pyronema omphalodes or may be P. domesticum on a site of bonfire on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, April 18, 2021
Close-up of Ascomycete fungus Pyronema omphalodes or may be P. domesticum on a site of bonfire on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, April 18, 2021
Ascomycete fungus Pyronema omphalodes or may be P. domesticum on a site of bonfire in wet area on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, April 18, 2021
Ascomycete fungus Pyronema omphalodes or may be P. domesticum on a bonfire site in wet area on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, April 18, 2021
Rosy granules of Ascomycete fungus Pyronema omphalodes or may be P. domesticum on a bonfire site in wet area on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, April 18, 2021
Close-up of rosy granules of Ascomycete fungus Pyronema omphalodes or may be P. domesticum on a bonfire site in wet area on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, April 18, 2021
Details of Ascomycete fungus Pyronema omphalodes or may be P. domesticum on a bonfire site in wet area on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, April 18, 2021
Granules of Ascomycete fungus Pyronema omphalodes or may be P. domesticum on a bonfire site in wet area on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, April 18, 2021
Ascomycete fungus Pyronema omphalodes in ash pit in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, April 25, 2021
Ascomycete mushrooms Pyronema omphalodes on a bonfire site near a pond on South Wilderness Loop Trail at Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, January 1, 2022
Ascomycete mushrooms Pyronema omphalodes on a bonfire site on sandy soil on South Wilderness Loop Trail at Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, January 1, 2022
Close-up of Ascomycete mushrooms Pyronema omphalodes on a bonfire site on South Wilderness Loop Trail at Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, January 1, 2022
Ascomycete mushrooms Pyronema omphalodes in ashes on a bonfire site on South Wilderness Loop Trail at Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, January 1, 2022
Ascomycete mushrooms Pyronema omphalodes with charcoal on a bonfire site on South Wilderness Loop Trail at Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, January 1, 2022
Ascomycete fungus Pyronema omphalodes on a bonfire site on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 10, 2022
Ascomycete fungus Pyronema omphalodes on a charred ground on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 10, 2022
Fungus Pyronema omphalodes from a bonfire site under a microscope at low magnification, collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 10, 2022
Asci of fungus Pyronema omphalodes from a bonfire site under a microscope, collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 10, 2022
Asci of fungus Pyronema omphalodes from a bonfire site under a microscope at higher magnification, collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 10, 2022
Asci and spores of fungus Pyronema omphalodes from a bonfire site under a microscope at higher magnification, collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 10, 2022
Asci and paraphyses of fungus Pyronema omphalodes from a bonfire site under a microscope, collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 10, 2022
Ascomycete mushrooms Pyronema omphalodes on a bonfire site near a small lake on Sand Branch Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, April 30, 2022
Orange Ascomycete fungus Pyronema omphalodes on the edge of a pit remained from burned tree on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 11, 2023
Asci (in Congo red dye, x40 objective) of fungus Pyronema omphalodes from burned ground collected on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 11, 2023
Asci (in Congo red dye, x100 objective) of fungus Pyronema omphalodes from burned ground collected on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 11, 2023
Paraphyses (in Congo red dye, x100 objective) of fungus Pyronema omphalodes from burned ground collected on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 11, 2023
Asci and paraphyses (in Congo red dye, x100 objective) of fungus Pyronema omphalodes from burned ground collected on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, April 11, 2023The observations document the frequent appearance of the Ascomycete fungus Pyronema omphalodes in burned areas, specifically on bonfire sites and charred ground, in Sam Houston National Forest and Bastrop State Park, Texas. The fungus was observed growing in ash pits, on burned tree remnants, and in sandy soil with charcoal. Microscopic examinations revealed the presence of asci, spores, and paraphyses, confirming the identity of the fungus. The observations span several years (2021-2023) and various locations within the forests, suggesting that Pyronema omphalodes is a common and widespread species in these areas, thriving in post-fire environments. The consistent presence of this fungus in burned areas highlights its likely role as a primary colonizer and decomposer in fire-affected ecosystems.
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