Scarlet Elfcup - Sarcoscypha austriaca

Cup shaped, inner fertile surface smooth, scarlet, outer surface whitish to pinkish to ochreaceous, attached to the substrate by a thick stem. On microscopic examination the tiny hairs on the outside of the cup are curly or corkscrew shaped (difficult to see in some specimens). Spore print white, spores 11-14μm wide (c.f. Ruby Elfcup, S. coccinea, which has spores 9-12μm wide). 

The Ruby Elfcup, Sarcoscypha coccinea.  Microscopic examination of spores and/or the hairs on the outside of the cup are needed to tell them apart.   There is more information on the First Nature webpage for Scarlet Elfcup

Colour and size are unreliable features; microscopic examination is needed.  Either submit photographs of spores/hairs taken down a microscope, or have an expert confirmation from a specimen.  If you haven't done this, submit as the genus Sarcoscypha.

This species is found growing on fallen pieces of dead hardwood among mosses and leaf litter in damp habitats.

Late winter to early spring.

Grows on rotting mossy wood fragments in very damp to wet conditions.  Locally it fruits most profusely in calcareous habitats.

Widespread and common.

Not known due to similarity with Ruby Elfcup, Sarcoscypha coccinea