Scutellinia scutellata

Scientific name:  Scutellinia scutellata (L.) Lambotte
Derivation of name:  Scutella means "a little dish."
Synonyms:  Peziza scutellata L.:Fr.; Patella scutellata
(L.) Morgan
Common name(s):  Eyelash cup; Molly eye-winker.
Phylum:   Ascomycota
Order:   Pezizales
Family:   Pyronemataceae
Occurrence on wood substrate: Saprobic; solitary or
clustered on damp soil and well-decayed (and damp)
wood; spring through fall   
Dimensions:  The stalkless, saucer-shaped cups are 3-12
mm wide.   
Sterile outer surface: Orange or pale brown; covered by
long, stiff brown to black hairs which form a fringe on
the rim of the cup.  Usually, at least some of these marginal
hairs are longer than 1 mm.             
Fertile inner surface: Orange to orange-red, smooth.
Edibility: Inedible.
Comments: Their bright red color and fringe of
"eyelashes" always make this species a joy to find.
According to Denison, this is the most commonly
collected member of the genus. A related species, S.
umbrarum, resembles S. scutellata but is usually found
on soil and it has marginal hairs less than 1 mm long.
With certain specimens, microscopic examination of the
spores may be required to separate these species.

More information at MushroomExpert.com: 
More information at TomVolkFungi.net:

    

Figure 1. Eyelash cups growing on wet wood, a common
habitat. Photo © Gary Emberger.


Figure 2. Another view of the fungus on wet wood. Even
though small, the bright red color makes it easy to spot.
Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 3. Scutellinia scutellata often grows in clusters.
When you look close, you can see the fringe of black hairs
("eye lashes") around the rim of the cup. Photo © Gary
Emberger.

Figure 4. Under a hand lens, the eyelash cup is always a
beautiful sight. Photo © David Work.


Figure 5. I never get tired of seeing this cup fungus up close.
Photo © Gary Emberger.