Contents
Sarcoscif scarlet, cinnabar red or bright red, red pepper or scarlet elf bowl is a marsupial mushroom that belongs to the Sarcoscif family. This species is distinguished by an unusual shape of the structure of the fruiting body, resembling a small cup of scarlet color. 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 referred to as Sarcoscypha coccinea.
What does sarcoscypha scarlet look like
The upper part has a goblet shape, which smoothly passes into a short leg. Sometimes you can find specimens in which the edges of the cap are slightly bent 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 draws 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 slight mushroom aroma.
The leg of the sarcoscypha scarlet is small in size. Its length does not exceed 1-3 cm, and the thickness is 0,5 cm. Often the leg is completely immersed in the substrate or forest floor, so it seems that it does not exist at all. The surface is white, the pulp is dense without voids.
The hymenophore of scarlet sarcoscypha is located on the outer side of the cap. It has a pale pink or white hue. Spores are ellipsoid, 25-37 x 9,5-15 microns in size.
Sarkoscifa alai grows purely in ecologically clean places, so it is a natural indicator of the state of the environment
Where and how to grow
Sarcoscif alai grows in small families in temperate regions. It is widely distributed in Africa, America and Eurasia. The fungus appears in late winter or early spring depending on the region and weather conditions. The fruiting process ends in May.
Main places of growth:
- precipitation;
- half-decayed wood;
- bedding of fallen leaves;
- moss.
In Our Country, sarcoscypha alai is found in the European part and Karelia.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
This species belongs to the category of edible, but the taste of scarlet sarcoscypha is low, so it belongs to the fourth class. The pulp is characterized by increased rigidity, therefore, before cooking, it is necessary to pre-boil for 10 minutes, followed by draining the water.
Sarcoscif scarlet can be marinated, stewed and fried. It is not recommended to use it fresh.
Twins 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, 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, 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 Austrian sarcoscypha
Conclusion
Scarcoscif alai is of interest to mycologists because of the unusual structure of the fruiting body. Fans of quiet hunting also do not bypass it with their attention, since the fruiting period falls at a time when there are practically no mushrooms in the forest. In addition, there is an opinion that powder from dried aloe sarcoscypha is able to quickly stop the blood, so it is used as a wound healing agent.
