The Scarlet Elf Cup Fungus in the Pacific Northwest
The scarlet elf cup fungus (Sarcoscypha coccinea) occurs in moist forest regions of the Pacific Northwest. It usually grows during the winter and spring months, and appears on fallen pieces of hardwood. The fungus may seem to sprout upwards from the soil, but just under the soil will rest a piece of hardwood that serves as the growing base for the fungus. Does this Spark an idea?
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Appearance
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Scarlet elf cup fungus has a cup shape, but as it gets older the cup can flatten out to a flat disc or saucer form. The fungus cup usually measures about 1 1/2 inches across. Its upper surface exhibits a dark, scarlet coloration. As the fungus ages, the color usually begins to fade and may appear deep orange. The under-surface of the cup appears white, but the red color can sometimes show through the thin tissue. The surface of the fungus and its stem can appear smooth or have slight hairs.
Spores
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The fungus emits a strong, pungent odor that most people find unpleasant. As the fungus matures, its red surface shows a dusting of brown or tan fungal spores. The unpleasant odor of the fungus attracts flies, which land on the spores. The spores have a slimy surface that clings to the flies when they land on the surface of the fungus. The flies then spread the fungal spores to new locations.
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Survival
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The hardwood that the scarlet elf cup fungus grows upon provides the fungus with cellulose and proteins, which the fungus uses to survive and thrive. The fungus secretes digestive enzymes that help break the wood down. The digestive enzymes help turn the wood into sugars and amino acids, which the fungus can readily absorb through its tissue wall. Scarlet elk cup fungus prefers to grow on oak and maple hardwoods but can exist on other species.
Considerations
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The fungus often grows in clusters on the surface of a log or branch. The websites MykoWeb and Roger's Mushrooms list the scarlet elf cup fungus as edible. The fungus occurs in both North American and parts of Europe. It grows best in moist locations and thrives alongside moss. The red of the fungus often stands out in stark contrast to the green, moss covered log that it grows upon.
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References
- Wayne's World; The Amazing Kingdom of Fungi; W.P. Armstrong; January 2010
- MykoWeb; California Fungi - Sarcoscypha coccinea; Michael Wood and Fred Stevens
- Roger's Mushrooms: Sarcoscypha coccinea
- The University of Wisconsin: Tom Volk's Fungus of the Month for April 1998
- Penzance: Fungi
- MushroomExpert.com; Sarcoscypha coccinea; Michael Kuo; April 2006
