Sarcoscypha austriaca vs Sarcoscypha coccinea

[Leif]

I've just been examining some spores under the microscope, and they are different from yours. In your case, there are oil droplets massed towards the ends. In my case the contents (oil drops?) are more evenly distributed. However the shape is about the same, i.e. ellipsoidal with a mix of rounded and blunt ends. The hairs or surface hyphae on the underside are curly, and one long one was helical. This seems to be the key feature of S. austriaca, so my guess was correct.

[FungiJohn]

Roll on the morels and something a little easier

[Leif]

John: As I now have a replacement microscope projection eyepiece, and happened on a Sarcoscypha yesterday, I thought you might be interested to see some spores from the specimen I found:



These are distinct from yours, as the oil drops are evenly distributed. This is what I see in all the collections I have made this year. But the shape is about the same as yours. I am searching without much success for a clear description of the difference between the two UK flavours of Sarcoscypha.

[mykonik]

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

Thanks Ken. I was actually going to do a count of the spores but given that it was almost 3am in the morning I felt that enough time had been spent on analysis. There’s others waiting.

I’m going to leave the Hawks Wood species as Sarcoscypha austriaca. I’ll give them the benefit of doubt until perhaps more useful literature is available.

Right, what’s next

Try Mycologist 9 p20-26 (1995). Butterfill G.B & Spooner B.M., Sarcoscypha (Pezizales) in Britain - quite useful in sorting the two taxa out !!

Nick

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by Leif

John: As I now have a replacement microscope projection eyepiece, and happened on a Sarcoscypha yesterday, I thought you might be interested to see some spores from the specimen I found:



These are distinct from yours, as the oil drops are evenly distributed. This is what I see in all the collections I have made this year. But the shape is about the same as yours. I am searching without much success for a clear description of the difference between the two UK flavours of Sarcoscypha.

That's a cracking picture Leif

[CloudedYellow]

Originally Posted by Leif

I am searching without much success for a clear description of the difference between the two UK flavours of Sarcoscypha.

I managed this image recently of one of the hyphal hairs on the underside, clearly helical so this is from Sarcoscypha austriaca.

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Leif

John: As I now have a replacement microscope projection eyepiece, and happened on a Sarcoscypha yesterday, I thought you might be interested to see some spores from the specimen I found:



These are distinct from yours, as the oil drops are evenly distributed. This is what I see in all the collections I have made this year. But the shape is about the same as yours. I am searching without much success for a clear description of the difference between the two UK flavours of Sarcoscypha.

Very nice image Leif. I'm not sure if I'm more confused now

John

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by mykonik

Try Mycologist 9 p20-26 (1995). Butterfill G.B & Spooner B.M., Sarcoscypha (Pezizales) in Britain - quite useful in sorting the two taxa out !!

Nick

Many thanks Nick. Now where did I put it
John

[Leif]

FWIW I found a brief key in Field Mycology 3(1) page 13.

[Leif]

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

Many thanks Nick. Now where did I put it
John

If you do have a copy, I would certainly appreciate any helpful hints. I can provide the FM notes on request.