Cribbea

Cribbea is a genus of fungi in the family Hygrophoraceae. These fungi are typically found in Australia and New Zealand. They are characterized by their small to medium size, brightly colored caps (often red, orange, or yellow), decurrent gills, and a dry or slightly sticky cap surface. Microscopically, they possess clamped hyphae and smooth, non-amyloid spores.

Cribbea species are saprobic, meaning they obtain nutrients from decaying organic matter, typically leaf litter and woody debris in forests. The genus was established relatively recently, and continues to be a subject of ongoing research in fungal taxonomy and ecology. Distinguishing between species within the genus can be challenging, often requiring microscopic examination of spores and other anatomical features.

Common characteristics used for identification include: cap color, gill attachment, stipe texture, spore size and shape, and habitat. Molecular data is increasingly used to refine species boundaries and understand the evolutionary relationships within Cribbea.