bielenia

Bielenia is a genus of fungi belonging to the family Sarcosomataceae. This genus is characterized by its typically large, cup-shaped fruiting bodies, known as apothecia. These apothecia are often found growing on decaying wood, particularly on logs and stumps of deciduous trees in temperate regions. The texture of the apothecia can vary, but they are often fleshy and somewhat brittle.

The asci, which are the spore-bearing cells within the apothecia, are typically cylindrical and contain eight ascospores. The spores are usually ellipsoidal or fusiform and hyaline or lightly pigmented. The exact taxonomic placement of Bielenia has been subject to revision as molecular phylogenetic studies have provided more data.

Species within the Bielenia genus are saprotrophic, meaning they obtain nutrients by decomposing dead organic matter. Their role in the ecosystem is therefore to aid in the decomposition of woody debris, contributing to nutrient cycling. While some species may be visually striking due to their size, they are generally not considered of significant culinary or medicinal importance, and information on their edibility is scarce. Identification of Bielenia species often relies on microscopic features such as spore morphology, in addition to macroscopic characteristics of the fruiting body.