Sarcoscypha austriaca, commonly known as the Scarlet Elf Cup, is a striking fungus distinguished by its vivid red, cup-shaped fruiting body. It usually appears in late winter to early spring, growing on decaying hardwood branches, especially those of willow or alder, often partially buried under leaf litter or moss in damp, shaded woodlands.

Fruiting body upper (hymenial) surface is scarlet with a smooth, shiny interior. The outer (lower) surface is pale ochraceous. The fruiting body is cup-shaped, with a slightly incurved margin when young that typically becomes frayed with age. It tapers into a short stem, which may sometimes be absent. The flesh is pale, thin, and brittle. Spore print white.

Microscopic Features: The spores measure 25–37 × 9.5–15 µm and are ellipsoid to nearly football-shaped, with rounded or sometimes flattened ends. They typically contain numerous small oil droplets less than 3 µm in diameter.

Sarcoscypha austriaca on the First Nature Web site.
Sarcoscypha austriaca on the MushroomExpert.Com Web site.