# Scarlet Elf Cup (*Sarcoscypha*)

The Scarlet Elf Cup is a bright red fungus that looks like a tiny cup! You can find it in damp, shady areas.

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 13
- **Habitat:** Damp, shady areas
- **Also known as:** Red Cup Fungus, Scarlet Cup

![Scarlet Elf Cup](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424771/objects/5158.jpg)

## Appearance

The Scarlet Elf Cup is a striking bright red, cup-shaped mushroom, often appearing like tiny bowls scattered on the forest floor. Its vibrant color makes it stand out against drab winter wood and moss, with a paler pinkish-white exterior.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Ascomycota
- **Class:** Pezizomycetes
- **Order:** Pezizales
- **Family:** Sarcoscyphaceae
- **Genus:** Sarcoscypha

## Interesting facts

- Ancient folklore says tiny elves used these vibrant cups as drinking vessels!
- If gently squeezed, the Scarlet Elf Cup can sometimes release a puff of white spores!
- Its bright red color comes from special pigments called carotenoids, like in carrots!
- They are one of the first wild mushrooms to appear after winter snow melts!

## Special abilities

- **Decay Dynamo:** Scarlet Elf Cup can break down dead wood into nutrients because of special enzymes that help them recycle forest materials.
- **Spore Shooter:** Scarlet Elf Cup has a special cup shape that helps them launch spores into the air for travel and new growth.
- **Winter Warrior:** Scarlet Elf Cup can grow and thrive in cold winter conditions, allowing them to appear when other fungi are hidden.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 1-4 cm
- **Edible:** edible
- **Size:** 2-7 cm
- **Growth Substrate:** wood
- **Season:** Winter to early spring
- **Spore Color:** White

## Ecological connections

- **Depends on:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Decomposes dead branches of this tree.
- **Depends on:** [American Beech](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-beech) (*Fagus grandifolia*) — Feeds on decaying wood, recycling its nutrients.
- **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Breaks down fallen oak branches on the forest floor.

## Traits

- [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
- [Spore Producing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spore-producing): Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Scarlet Elf Cup?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Scarlet Elf Cup?

1-4 cm

### Is Scarlet Elf Cup edible?

edible

### How big is Scarlet Elf Cup?

2-7 cm

### Where is Scarlet Elf Cup usually found?

Damp, shady areas

### What does Scarlet Elf Cup grow on?

wood

### When is Scarlet Elf Cup in season?

Winter to early spring

### What color are Scarlet Elf Cup spores?

White

## Where to spot

- [Belfast Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belfast-zoo) — Northern Ireland, GB · Zoo
- [Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/birmingham-wildlife-conservation-park) — England, GB · Zoo
- [Howletts Wild Animal Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/howletts-wild-animal-park) — England, GB · Zoo
- [Screech Owl Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/screech-owl-sanctuary) — England, GB · Zoo
- [Tierpark Berlin](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-berlin) — Berlin, DE · Zoo
- [Knowsley Safari Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/knowsley-safari-park) — England, GB · Zoo

[View all places to see Scarlet Elf Cup](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/scarlet-elf-cup)

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Scarlet Elf Cup: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scarlet-elf-cup)