Scutellinia scutellata (L.) Lamb.
Fl. Myc. Belg. Suppl. 299. 1887.

Common Name: Eyelash Cup Fungus

Synonym: Patella scutellata (L.) Morgan

• Sporocarp

  Fruit body 0.5-1.5 cm broad, at first nearly round, becoming disc-shaped, the margin reflexed, sometimes wavy, with long (1-2 mm), stiff, dark-brown to black hairs; hymenium (upper surface) red to orange, smooth; lower surface colored like the hymenium but duller, also hairy, but not so conspicuously as the cup margin; stipe absent; flesh thin.

• Spores

  Spores 17-20 x 11-13 µm, elliptical, slightly warted, hyaline, containing one to several oil droplets.

• Habitat

  Gregarious to grouped on moist, well rotted wood, less commonly on soil; fruiting from late winter to spring.

• Edibility

  Insignificant, of no culinary value.

• Comments

  This brightly colored cup fungus is a harbinger of spring, often fruiting after the majority of mushrooms have disappeared. It is recognized by long, stiff, dark-colored marginal cup hairs and a red to orange hymenium. Other Scutellinia species, told apart by hair length, substrate preference and spore morphology may also occur in our area.

• References

  Breitenbach, J. & Kränzlin, F. (1984). Fungi of Switzerland. Volume 1: Ascomycetes. Verlag Mykologia: Luzern, Switzerland. 310 p.
  Dennis, R.W.G. (1981). British Ascomycetes. J. Cramer: Vaduz, Liechtenstein. 585 p.
  Medardi, G. (2006). Ascomiceti d'Italia. Centro Studi Micologici: Trento. 454 p.
  Seaver, F.J. (1978). The North American Cup-Fungi (Operculates). Lubrecht & Cramer: Moncticello, N.Y. 377 p.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Boleslaw Kuznik: Scutellinia scutellata (CP)
  • Boleslaw Kuznik: Scutellinia scutellata (CP)
  • Boleslaw Kuznik: Scutellinia scutellata (CP)
  • Hugh Smith: Scutellinia scutellata (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Scutellinia scutellata
  • Michael Wood: Scutellinia scutellata
  • Boleslaw Kuznik -- Hunting for Mushrooms: Scutellinia scutellata (CP)
  • MushroomExpert.com: Scutellinia scutellata (D & CP)
  • Fungi of Poland: Scutellinia scutellata (D & CP)
  • Tom Volk's Fungus of the Month: Scutellinia scutellata (D & CP)
  • Mushrooms and Toadstools of the Netherlands: Scutellinia scutellata (CP)
  • Mushroom Observer: Scutellinia scutellata (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 839 (D & P)
  • Breitenbach & Kränzlin (vol. 1): sp. 82 (D, I, & CP)
  • Jordan: p. 42 (D & CP)
  • Lincoff: p. 353, plate 604 (CP)
  • Orr & Orr: p. 28 (D)
  • Phillips: p. 308 (D), p. 309 (CP)
  
  

  (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)