Healing properties of the small Ebony cup mushroom (Pseudoplectania nigrella)

    During scientific work, a substance (peptide) called plectasin was isolated from Pseudoplectania nigrella. Only a few invertebrates, such as spiders or scorpions, contain this substance. It turned out that this substance has a very strong antibiotic effect and can cope with treatment areas where traditional antibiotics used in medicine so far fail.  

    Ebony cup, the black false plectania, or the hairy black cup (Pseudoplectania nigrella) - the mushroom has a diameter of up to 3 cm. Initially, the fruiting bodies are closed and have the shape of tiny spheres, but as they mature, they open and take the shape of a round or oval cup, with time they can be quite flat. The edge is slightly wavy, covered with tiny hairs.  

    The flesh has no noticeable taste or smell, it is quite elastic and cartilaginous.  

    Occurrence: Ebony cup can be found on the ground, in moss in coniferous forests, mainly spruce pine needles and rotting twigs in spruce forests. The fungus in Poland is found less and less frequently and is included in the Register of protected and endangered mushroom species. The most common are single fruiting bodies, sometimes several in one place. It appears in the spring and grows until May, often accompanied by morels. It is also found in Europe, North America, India, Japan and Australia. Application: The mushroom is inedible but with healing properties.