Sarcoscypha coccinea

Overview

Sarcoscypha coccinea is a scarlet cup fungus in Sarcoscyphaceae. UBC’s regional atlas describes a bright red interior, a whitish downy or granular outer surface and often a white stem connecting the cup to fallen or buried hardwood. Winter and early-spring fruiting is reported for regional accounts, with timing varying among localities.

Brian Luther’s collection-based account compares a flattened, short-stemmed eastern Washington collection with more goblet-shaped western material. Microscopic examination resolved the atypical collection as S. coccinea. Its asci normally contained eight spores; the described spores were smooth, colourless and variably rounded or somewhat truncated. These observations concern examined material, not certified anatomy of any red cup seen outdoors.

The UBC account explains that older North American records grouped several large Sarcoscypha species under coccinea before further distinctions were recognised. Luther also discusses variation in form and habitat despite agreement in diagnostic microscopy. A generated macro image can illustrate the red cup and pale exterior, but cannot verify species-level spore or hair characters or settle the broader genetic limits.

Origins & earliest records

A named ascomycete treated through collection-based morphology; appearance alone does not establish its identity.

Evidence & interpretation

Retained scientific and institutional passages.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Scarlet cup account

   Ian Gibson

2. 02

   Washington collection study

   Brian Luther

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. University-hosted regional identification compilationScarlet cup accountResearch access: 2026-10-11
2. Primary collection observations in society bulletinWashington collection studyResearch access: 2026-10-11

Image credits

Modern AI interpretation of scarlet fungal cups.

Modern AI interpretation of macroscopic form; microscopic species identity is not certified.