Content
Sarcoscypha scarlet, cinnabar red or bright red, or scarlet elven cup is a marsupial fungus that belongs to the Sarcoscyphaceae family. This species is distinguished by an unusual shape of the structure of the fruiting body, resembling a small scarlet cup. This mushroom looks especially original when it grows not on the remains of decaying wood, but in green moss. In official reference books it is designated as Sarcoscypha coccinea.
What does Sarcoscipha scarlet look like?
The upper part has a goblet shape, which smoothly turns into a short stem. Sometimes you can find specimens in which the edges of the cap are slightly curved inward.The outer surface is velvety matte pink. The inner side is a rich scarlet color, smooth to the touch. This creates a special contrast with the outside and attracts the eye. The diameter of the cap is 1.5-5 cm. When ripe, it straightens out, its edges become light, uneven. And the color inside the cup changes from scarlet to orange.
When broken, you can see the fleshy flesh of a bright red color with a faint mushroom aroma.
The leg of Sarcoscypha scarlet is small in size. Its length does not exceed 1-3 cm, and its thickness is 0.5 cm. Often the leg is completely immersed in the substrate or forest litter, so it seems that it is not there at all. The surface is white, the flesh is dense without voids.
The hymenophore of Sarcoscypha scarlet is located on the outside of the cap. It has a pale pink or white tint. The spores are ellipsoid, measuring 25-37 x 9.5-15 microns.
Sarcoscipha scarlet grows only in ecologically clean places, so it is a natural indicator of the state of the environment
Where and how does it grow
Sarcoscipha scarlet grows in small families in temperate regions. It is widespread in Africa, America and Eurasia. The mushroom appears in late winter or early spring depending on the region and weather conditions. The fruiting process ends in May.
Main places of growth:
- dead wood;
- half-rotten wood;
- litter of fallen leaves;
- moss.
In Russia, Sarcoscipha scarlet is found in the European part and Karelia.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
This species belongs to the edible category, but the taste of scarlet sarcoscipha is low, so it is classified in the fourth class. The pulp is characterized by increased hardness, so before cooking it is necessary to pre-boil it for 10 minutes and then drain the water.
Scarlet sarcoscifa can be pickled, stewed and fried. It is not recommended to eat it fresh.
Doubles and their differences
This species is in many ways similar to the Austrian Sarcoscypha, which belongs to the same family. The upper part of the double is cup-shaped. Its inner surface is bright red and smooth to the touch. But in mature specimens it becomes wrinkled, especially in the center of the cap.
The reverse side of the upper part is pubescent, characterized by a light pink or orange tint. The hairs are small, translucent, rounded at the top. It is almost impossible to see them with the naked eye.
This species grows in small groups and is distributed in northern Europe and the eastern United States. The mushroom is considered edible, but requires preliminary boiling for 10 minutes. The official name is Sarcoscypha austriaca.
Sometimes in nature you can find albino species of Sarcoscipha Austrian
Conclusion
Sarcoscipha scarlet is of interest to mycologists due to the unusual structure of the fruiting body. Lovers of quiet hunting also do not ignore it, since the fruiting period occurs at a time when there are practically no mushrooms in the forest. In addition, there is an opinion that powder from dried Sarcoscipha scarlet can quickly stop bleeding, so it is used as a wound healing agent.
