Ruby Elf Cup

Almost identical and edible ruby elfcup sarcosypha coccinea although several different sources confuse the two.

Ruby elf cup.

As its name suggests the ruby elfcup is a bright red cup shaped fungus. Sarcoscypha coccinea the ruby elfcup in common with the macroscopically almost identical scarlet elfcup sarcoscypha austriaca appears in winter on dead twigs. They are virtually indistinguishable to the naked eye. Coccinea has been known by many names.

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. Scarlet elf cup identification edibility distribution march 2 2013. Small bright red cups with short stems appear in late winter and spring on twigs and branches.

The edge of the cup in the scarlet elf cup has a comb tooth like surface whereas the ruby elf cup has a unevenly thick ridged edge which is more complete than the edge of a scarlet elf cup specimen. 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. Both of them are generally reckoned to be edible and their vivid red colour serves to distinguish them from anything else.

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. 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. Indeed the edibility of scarlet elf cups is disputed. Very similar in appearance to the scarlet elf cup sarcosypha austriaca.

More common in areas of higher rainfall. This fungus is uncommon in the uk though reasonably widespread. The ruby elf cup is more likely to be mistaken but is much more rare than the scarlet elf cup. 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.

The cap has microscopic tubes called asci that release the spores from the upper cup of the mushroom. Scarlet elf cup sarcoscypha coccinea is virtually indistinguishable from the similar ruby elf cup sarcoscypha austriaca without microscopy. Sarcocypha coccinea and sarcoscypha austriaca.