Hairy pileus. Growing on decaying conifer.
Wondering if these are ebony cup (pseudoplectania nigrella), but they were fairly large. 1.25-1.5” across
Growing on Polypodium.
Carter County, TN, spotted on the roadside at the top of a grassy grade, possible former site of a small apple orchard. It was in the open, exposed to sun in grass. Only one observed.
On Juniperus virginiana
Growing from dead hardwood
Emerging from large decaying hardwood log in the bottom of low moist woodland draw dominated by paw paw trees. Locally abundant on log and absent on nearby logs. Specimens appear to be parasitizing Ophiocordyceps variabilis and/or directly competing for its larval host.
Reference for the creation of new genera (Niveomyces and Torrubiellomyces) that parasitize Cordyceps and Ophiocordyceps - https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2022.49.05
Similar observation - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/20957798
Sister observation for the Ophiocordyceps variabilis - http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/170023277