# Scarlet Elfcup (*sarcoscypha austriaca*)

The Scarlet Elfcup is a bright red mushroom that looks like a tiny cup! It's often found in damp, shady places, making it a fun find for nature explorers.

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Scarlet Elfcups live in moist, wooded areas, often on decaying leaves and logs.
- **Also known as:** Elf Cup

![Scarlet Elfcup](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sarcoscypha_austriaca_81949.jpg&width=800)

Photo: This image was created by user Dan Molter (shroomydan) at Mushroom Observer , a source for mycological images. You can contact this user her, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sarcoscypha_austriaca_81949.jpg)

## Appearance

The Scarlet Elfcup has a vivid, cup-shaped fruiting body, typically 1-5 cm across, perched on decaying branches. Its inner surface is brilliant scarlet, while the outer surface is paler, often pinkish or whitish. This striking color helps it stand out on the dull forest floor.

## Taxonomy

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

## Interesting facts

- Even in chilly winter, these vibrant fungi bravely pop up on fallen logs.
- Some people call them 'fairy cups' because of their magical, bright appearance!
- Their dazzling red helps them absorb a little more warmth from the weak winter sun!
- They look like tiny red cups left behind by woodland elves!

## Special abilities

- **Nature's Recycler:** Scarlet Elfcup can break down tough, dead wood because of special enzymes that help it recycle nutrients back into the forest soil.
- **Raindrop Spore Shooter:** Scarlet Elfcup has a cup shape that helps collect raindrops, which then splash out its tiny spores, sending them far and wide.
- **Cold Weather Warrior:** Scarlet Elfcup can thrive in chilly conditions because it grows in winter and early spring, bringing vibrant color when other fungi are scarce.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 1-3 cm
- **Edible:** edible
- **Size:** 1-5 cm
- **Growth Substrate:** wood
- **Season:** Winter to early spring
- **Spore Color:** White

## Ecological connections

- **Depends on:** [European Beech](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-beech) (*Fagus sylvatica*) — decays fallen branches of beech trees
- **Depends on:** Pedunculate Oak (*Quercus robur*) — breaks down dead oak wood in the forest
- **Depends on:** [Sycamore Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sycamore-maple) (*Acer pseudoplatanus*) — recycles nutrients from decaying maple logs

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [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 touch or eat wild mushrooms without adult supervision.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Scarlet Elfcup?

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 Elfcup?

1-3 cm

### Is Scarlet Elfcup edible?

edible

### How big is Scarlet Elfcup?

1-5 cm

### Where is Scarlet Elfcup usually found?

Scarlet Elfcups live in moist, wooded areas, often on decaying leaves and logs.

### What does Scarlet Elfcup grow on?

wood

### When is Scarlet Elfcup in season?

Winter to early spring

### What color are Scarlet Elfcup spores?

White

## Where to spot

- [Iowa State Fairgrounds](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/iowa-state-fairgrounds) — Iowa, US · Historic District
- [Lakeshore Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lakeshore-park) — Michigan, US · Park

## 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 Elfcup: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scarlet-elfcup)