Orange-peel Fungus (Aleuria aurantia)

The absolutely appropriately named Orange-peel Fungus

It's not difficult to guess the name derivation of the Orange-peel Fungus, as this species does look remarkably similar to its fruity namesake.

Yet confusion could, theoretically, arise with the remarkably similar Ruby Elfcup (Sarcoscypha coccinea), but as this is considered to be a rare species that has not been recorded in the New Forest, whilst numerous records of Orange-peel Fungus exist, identification by relative lay-people can fairly safely be assumed.

Although reasonably widespread in the New Forest, the Orange-peel Fungus is infrequently abundant. It grows to a width of 10 centimetres, although most specimens are considerably smaller. The inner surface is as illustrated, but the outer surface is often of a paler hue.

Attached to the substrate on which it grows via a short stalk, this autumn fungus is found on bare earth and amongst grass and moss, most frequently under oak or beech.

Warning: refer to a good, comprehensive fungus field guide to confirm identification, and only eat those species known without any doubt whatsoever to be edible - people have died after eating certain poisonous specimens.

References:
Mushrooms and other Fungi of Great Britain and Europe - Roger Phillips
The Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and North-western Europe - Marcel Bon
Fungi of Britain and Europe - Stefan Buczacki and John Wilkinson
The MacDonald Encyclopedia of Mushrooms and Toadstools - Giovanni Pacioni
Fungi of the New Forest: A Mycota - Edited by Gordon Dickson and Ann Leonard
A Passion for Mushrooms - Antonio Carluccio