Sarcoscypha occidentalis

Photo credits – Left: Michael Kuo via mushroomexpert.com. Middle-right: Texas Mushrooms.

Sarcoscypha occidentalis (Schwein.) Sacc

Taxonomy: Fungi > Ascomycota > Pezizomycetes > Pezizales > Sarcoscyphaceae > Sarcoscypha > S. occidentalis

Sarcoscypha occidentalis, commonly called the stalked scarlet cup, is a cup fungus usually found from mid-spring into early summer. This fungus features a bright pinkish red cup up to 2 cm in diameter on a short white stalk. The cup of older specimens may flatten out and crinkle slightly. S. occidentalis is saprophytic, usually growing on moist twigs, oftentimes submerged in leaf litter. Lack of hairs along cup margin distinguishes this species from Microstoma floccosum while the diminutive size and distinct stalk distinguishes it from Sarcoscypha coccinea. I have most definitely mistaken these tiny fungi for bits of trash in the forest.