Wenatchee National Forest, Washington
This Ascomycete in the Sarcosomataceae family has long been known as Sarcosoma mexicanum, but has been recognized as a new and distinct species since 2013. It is a not uncommon snowbank species which appears in the mountains of the PNW soon after snowmelt under conifers. it is a saprophyte that grows on conifer wood or debris. In color dark brown to black, the fruit bodies can reach 5-10 cm across and up to 7 cm tall. The shape is cup-like but may become flattened and the fertile surface is smooth to slightly velvety. What is particularly distinctive is the interior or context of the fungus, which is a gelatinous and more or less colorless. The undersurface is wrinkled and tapers to an indistinct to nearly absent stem. It is not considered edible.