About this fungus
Ruby Elfcup is a fungus in the Sarcoscyphaceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.
A vivid scarlet cup fungus appearing on damp, decaying hardwood in winter or spring, with a bright smooth inner surface and a much paler, finely hairy outer surface.
What to check
Check that the fruitbody is a true cup attached to dead wood, often partly buried in moss or leaf litter. A short stem may be hidden. Exact separation from the very similar Scarlet Elfcup usually requires microscopy of spores and outer hairs.
Variation
Fresh cups are scarlet to deep red. Drying or age can shift them towards orange-red, and uncommon pale forms occur.
Lookalikes
Sarcoscypha austriaca and other red Sarcoscypha species can be indistinguishable in photographs and in the field. Record uncertain finds as Sarcoscypha unless microscopic features support the species name.
Habitat and range
Wood-decaying on fallen hardwood twigs and small branches in damp, shaded places, often with the wood hidden by moss or leaf litter. Host preferences and relative abundance differ between regions.
Food safety
Inedible.
Photographs
Bogumisia / CC BY-SA 4.0