Ruby Elf Cup

Sarcocypha coccinea and sarcoscypha austriaca.

Ruby elf cup.

Both these species are variously referred to as scarlet or crimson elf cups. Sarcoscypha coccinea commonly known as the scarlet elf cup scarlet elf cap or the scarlet cup is a species of fungus in the family sarcoscyphaceae of the order pezizales the fungus widely distributed in the northern hemisphere has been found in africa asia europe north and south america and australia the type species of the genus sarcoscypha s. Orange peel fungus grows in a different habitat mainly being found on bare soil or amongst grass in lawns or at roadsides. Both of them are generally reckoned to be edible and their vivid red colour serves to distinguish them from anything else.

Small bright red cups with short stems appear in late winter and spring on twigs and branches. The ruby elf cup is more likely to be mistaken but is much more rare than the scarlet elf cup. As its name suggests the ruby elfcup is a bright red cup shaped fungus. The scarlet elfcup is very similar in appearance to the ruby elfcup sarcoscypha coccinea although the latter is slightly smaller and deeper red in comparison.

Sarcoscyphaceae distribution taxonomic history etymology identification culinary notes reference sources. Thank you for information on scarlet elf cup fungi out walking today in a woodland area. Indeed the edibility of scarlet elf cups is disputed. They are virtually indistinguishable to the naked eye.

Very similar in appearance to the scarlet elf cup sarcosypha austriaca. The cap has microscopic tubes called asci that release the spores from the upper cup of the mushroom. Almost identical and edible ruby elfcup sarcosypha coccinea although several different sources confuse the two. Scarlet elf cup identification edibility distribution march 2 2013.

This fungus is uncommon in the uk though reasonably widespread. More common in areas of higher rainfall. Scarlet elf cup sarcoscypha coccinea is virtually indistinguishable from the similar ruby elf cup sarcoscypha austriaca without microscopy. It is also more orange than red and does look remarkably like orange peel so much so that some mycologists have been known to.

Coccinea has been known by many names. The scarlet elf cup has slightly curved or straight microscopic hairs on the outside of the cup whereas the ruby elf cup has curly or coiled hairs. How people can help fungi play an important role within our ecosystems helping to recycle nutrients from dead or decaying organic matter and providing food and shelter for different.