Hello,

this beautiful species was growing on a fallen branch of A. sibirica in coniferous forest, it appeared very early in spring after snow melt.

P. melaena seems to be synonymous with P. vogesiaca (but not in IF)?

Apothecia stipitate, disc 4 cm in diameter, stem 2 cm high, hymenium light brown with grayish, darker to the edge, outer surface black, glabrous, stem glabrous with black tomentum only at the base; two apothecia attached to fallen branch of Abies sibirica.

Excipulum from outer layer of prismatic incrusted cells, forming rossette shapes (surface view), inner layer from textura porrecta/intricata; asci cylindrical, with rooting base without crozier, 300-360 x 15-18; paraphyses cylindrical, septate, with enlarged bent to hooked upper part, with some brown incrustation in upper part, 3-4 broad in apices; spores 12.7 (11.8-13.4), round, with two hemispheric gelatinose appendages.