Scutellinia erinaceus

Scientific name:  Scutellinia erinaceus (Schwein.) Kuntze
Derivation of name: Scut refers to a "shield" or "flat disc"
with Scutellinia meaning "shaped like little shields."
Erinace- pertains to the prickly European hedgehog,
Erinaceus europaeus.
Synonyms: Patella erinaceus (Schwein.) Morgan;
Peziza erinaceus Schwein
Common name(s):  Orange eyelash cup
Phylum:  Ascomycota
Order:   Pezizales
Family:   Pyronemataceae
Occurrence on wood substrate: Saprobic; clustered on
decaying wood of deciduous trees; July through October. 
Dimensions: Fruit bodies are 1.5-3 (4) mm in diameter.   
Sterile outer surface:  Dull brownish-orange with a fringe
of long brown hairs around the perimeter of the cup. These
marginal hairs are less than 1 mm long.       
Fertile inner surface: Yellowish to pale orange-yellow
when young to dull orange at maturity.
Comments:  There are a number of Scutellinia species in
northeastern North America. The identification of the
specimens pictured here (and attributed to me) as
S. erinaceus was based solely on small size, yellowish
coloration, and gregarious growth habit on wood. Because
color and size can vary, real certainty in Scutellinia
species identification requires microscopic examination
of spores and close examination and measurement of the
"eyelashes." For example, given variation in color,
Scutellinia erinaceus may be difficult to distinguish from
small specimens of Scutellinia scutellata. Likewise,
Scutellinia setosa is similar in size to S. erinaceus although
usually more orange-red in color than S. erinaceus.

More information at MushroomExpert.com:

Figure 1. The barkless area of this damp, rotting log is
supporting the growth of dozens of Scutellinia erinaceus
fruit bodies . Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 2. The numerous fruit bodies are more evident
in this closer view of the barkless area of the log in
Fig. 1. Photo © Gary Emberger.


Figure 3. Hundreds of fruit bodies of Scutellinia erinaceus
covering a log. Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 4. The gregarious habit and distinctly yellowish
pigmentation of these specimens aid in field identification.
Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 5. Magnification reveals the marginal hairs or
"eyelashes" of the orange eyelash cup.
Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 6. Scutellinia erinaceus. Photo © George Barron.

Figure 7. Scutellinia erinaceus clustered on decaying
wood. These specimens were collected and identified at
a NEMF foray. Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 8. Orange eyelash cup on decaying hardwood.
Photo © John Dawson.