Scarlet Cup Fungus
(Sarcoscypha coccinea)
⚠️
Caution: Never consume any wild fungi unless you are 100% certain of its identity and have consulted with an expert mycologist. Many toxic species closely resemble edible ones.
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Species Description
Description
A jewel of the late winter and early spring, the Scarlet Elf Cup is a striking, cup-shaped fungus with a brilliant red interior. The outside of the cup is a contrasting pale pink or white and often has a fuzzy or velvety texture. These small but vibrant "cups" look like tiny splashes of paint against the drab colors of the dormant forest floor.
Habitat in the ANF
In the Allegheny National Forest, this is one of the very first signs of life as the snow begins to melt. It is a saprobe that grows on decaying hardwood twigs and branches, particularly those of Beech, Maple, and Willow. You will often find them in damp, shady areas, partially buried in moss or leaf litter. In the ANF, they are most visible from late February through April.
Ecology and the "Puff" of Spores
The Scarlet Elf Cup is a "sac fungus." Unlike gilled mushrooms that drop spores, this fungus shoots them out. If you find a fresh cup and gently blow on it, the change in humidity can trigger a simultaneous release of spores. This creates a tiny, visible cloud of white "smoke" as thousands of spores are launched into the air at once to be carried by the wind.
Identification
The Color: The inner surface is a deep, vivid scarlet or ruby red. The exterior is much paler, ranging from off-white to a soft pinkish-tan.
The Shape: A distinct cup or saucer shape (usually 0.5 to 2 inches wide). As it ages, the edges may become wavy or split.
The Stem: It usually has a short, stout, white stem that is often buried beneath the moss, connecting the cup to a hidden piece of wood.
The Texture: The flesh is somewhat rubbery and firm. It is not as brittle as some other cup fungi.
The Exterior: The outside of the cup is covered in tiny, microscopic hairs that give it a slightly "frosted" or velvety look.
A jewel of the late winter and early spring, the Scarlet Elf Cup is a striking, cup-shaped fungus with a brilliant red interior. The outside of the cup is a contrasting pale pink or white and often has a fuzzy or velvety texture. These small but vibrant "cups" look like tiny splashes of paint against the drab colors of the dormant forest floor.
Habitat in the ANF
In the Allegheny National Forest, this is one of the very first signs of life as the snow begins to melt. It is a saprobe that grows on decaying hardwood twigs and branches, particularly those of Beech, Maple, and Willow. You will often find them in damp, shady areas, partially buried in moss or leaf litter. In the ANF, they are most visible from late February through April.
Ecology and the "Puff" of Spores
The Scarlet Elf Cup is a "sac fungus." Unlike gilled mushrooms that drop spores, this fungus shoots them out. If you find a fresh cup and gently blow on it, the change in humidity can trigger a simultaneous release of spores. This creates a tiny, visible cloud of white "smoke" as thousands of spores are launched into the air at once to be carried by the wind.
Identification
The Color: The inner surface is a deep, vivid scarlet or ruby red. The exterior is much paler, ranging from off-white to a soft pinkish-tan.
The Shape: A distinct cup or saucer shape (usually 0.5 to 2 inches wide). As it ages, the edges may become wavy or split.
The Stem: It usually has a short, stout, white stem that is often buried beneath the moss, connecting the cup to a hidden piece of wood.
The Texture: The flesh is somewhat rubbery and firm. It is not as brittle as some other cup fungi.
The Exterior: The outside of the cup is covered in tiny, microscopic hairs that give it a slightly "frosted" or velvety look.