Ruby Elf Cup

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.

Ruby elf cup. They are virtually indistinguishable to the naked eye. Very similar in appearance to the scarlet elf cup sarcosypha austriaca. Sarcocypha coccinea and sarcoscypha austriaca. Coccinea has been known by many names.

Small bright red cups with short stems appear in late winter and spring on twigs and branches. 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. It is widespread but scarce and can be found on fallen twigs and branches particularly in areas with higher rainfall. Almost identical and edible ruby elfcup sarcosypha coccinea although several different sources confuse the two.

It is also more orange than red and does look remarkably like orange peel so much so that some mycologists have been known to. Both these species are variously referred to as scarlet or crimson elf cups. Sarcoscypha coccinea the ruby elfcup in common with the macroscopically almost identical scarlet elfcup sarcoscypha austriaca appears in winter on dead twigs. 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. Indeed the edibility of scarlet elf cups is disputed. Orange peel fungus grows in a different habitat mainly being found on bare soil or amongst grass in lawns or at roadsides. Sarcoscyphaceae distribution taxonomic history etymology identification culinary notes reference sources.

More common in areas of higher rainfall. Thank you for information on scarlet elf cup fungi out walking today in a woodland area. As its name suggests the ruby elfcup is a bright red cup shaped fungus. The cap has microscopic tubes called asci that release the spores from the upper cup of the mushroom.

Scarlet elf cup identification edibility distribution march 2 2013. This fungus is uncommon in the uk though reasonably widespread. Scarlet elf cup sarcoscypha coccinea is virtually indistinguishable from the similar ruby elf cup sarcoscypha austriaca without microscopy.