Scarlet elf cups are springtime fungi found in Latvia. The cap is goblet or cup-shaped, with the interior usually being brightly red. The outer edge is lighter, usually pink, ranging from white to ochre, orange, and light red, covered with fine hairs. The stalk is typically short, light, or matching the color of the cap's exterior.

Scarlet elf cups are saprotrophic fungi, growing in moist environments on decaying wood of deciduous trees, often hidden in the soil and leaf litter. They can survive prolonged periods of drought, but several moist months are necessary for the development of their fruit bodies. They typically grow in shaded areas, protected from direct sunlight, preferably with a high level of calcareous groundwater.

The active lifespan of the fruit bodies is around a month, and those that develop late in autumn can successfully overwinter. During dry periods, they quickly wither.

Scarlet elf cups, when verified, are considered edible. However, their lack of taste and small size make them less significant as food. This applies to the Austrian scarlet elf cup found in Latvia as well, which, according to some sources, can be eaten fresh, while others regard it with suspicion.

Historically, scarlet elf cups have been used for table decoration, either individually or with their wood substrate and leaves.