My Mushroom Macros continue with the Sarcoscypha austriaca or coccinea otherwise known as the Scarlett or Ruby Elfcup mushroom. This species can only be differentiated through microscopy; however on a culinary purpose misidentification is not important as they are both edible. On identification, look at the surrounding trees; for confirmation, microscopy analysis needs to be obtained.
Cap: In young specimens cup shaped & incurved, then develops an irregular & undulating margin. Scarlett inner surface; white-pink outer cap surface or ochre tinge. Red lining on edge of margin.
Spore/Print: Ellipsoidal 24-32 x 12-14μm. Print: White.
Stipe: Very tough to identify when buried in moss & foliage
Flesh: White & firm with red lining (see cap)
Skirt: N/A
Size/Height: 2-7cm diameter cap when expanded fully with a 1-2cm height / up to 3.5cm stipe & 0.3-0.7cm wide.
Season: Late winter to early spring.
Habitat: Damp habitats within deciduous woodlands particularly hardwoods as Hazel, Sycamore & Willow. Grow on dead branches among moss & leaf litter
Distribution: Solo or gregarious. This specimen was one of two. Widespread but not very common; however as these are outside of the traditional foraging seasons, is may well be underestimated.
Edible: YES! Always Fry & then used in stir-fry's & salads are a culinary recommendation. Controversy regarding raw edibility
Odour/Taste: Indistinct smell / mild taste
Medicinal: Used by Oneida Indians & other tribes of the Iroquois Six Nations. Once dried and ground up into a powder, was applied as a styptic.
Confusion Species: Sarcoscypha coccinea - Tend to be smaller however these overlap between the Scarlett & Ruby so under microscopic examination. S. austriaca possesses square ended ascii spores (Cylindrical, typically 340 x 14µm) from maturity whereas S. coccinea have rounded ends. There is also a very rare orange form of the S. austriaca which looks like the Orange Peel Fungus - but does not grow same time of year
Etymology: Sarcoscypha is a smaller genus belonging to the larger family of Ascomycerte fungi. Sarkos refers flesh & Skyph meaning cup - both Greek in origin. austriaca refers to "from Austria" after mycologist Günther Beck von Mannagetta
Microscopy: Hairs on outside of cup are curly/corkscrew/ tangled coils in shape; a strong characteristic in differentiating from S. coccinea (see confusion species)
Ecological Role: Grows among moss & foliage (see Habitat)
Pictures Taken: 26/02/2022
Reference List:
Mushroom Pocket Guide
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