Scarlet Elfcup

What do the woodland elves use to drink their morning dew?

Why, elfcups of course.

On the damp floor of the wooded Slacks Quarry, the vivid red of the Scarlet Elfcups are in sharp contrast to the greens of the mosses.

Sarcoscypha austriaca is its scientific name, meaning from Austria, although this fungus is found throughout Europe and North America¹Wikipedia Contributors (2021). Sarcoscypha austriaca. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcoscypha_austriaca [Accessed 14 Feb. 2022]..

Scarlet Elfcups is saprobic, meaning it feeds on dead wood thereby decomposing it in the process (as opposed to parasitic — feeding on living wood)²Mushroomexpert.com. (2018). Glossary (MushroomExpert.com). [online] Available at: https://www.mushroomexpert.com/glossary.html#saprobe [Accessed 14 Feb. 2022]..

I understand the fungi is not edible, but was used by Native Americans to stop bleeding³Trust, W. (2021). [online] Woodland Trust. Available at: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/fungi-and-lichens/scarlet-elf-cup/ [Accessed 14 Feb. 2022]..

• 1
  Wikipedia Contributors (2021). Sarcoscypha austriaca. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcoscypha_austriaca [Accessed 14 Feb. 2022].
• 2
  Mushroomexpert.com. (2018). Glossary (MushroomExpert.com). [online] Available at: https://www.mushroomexpert.com/glossary.html#saprobe [Accessed 14 Feb. 2022].
• 3
  Trust, W. (2021). [online] Woodland Trust. Available at: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/fungi-and-lichens/scarlet-elf-cup/ [Accessed 14 Feb. 2022].