Green Elfcup

These tiny cups on a rotting log are the fruiting bodies of an amazing fungus that stains the wood it infiltrates a bright green. These logs are sought after for use in decorative inlay and give rise to traditional wooden artifacts known as 'Tunbridge ware'. The green-stained logs can be found throughout the year, but these spore-baring cups of the fungus Chlorociboria aeruginascens are more difficult to find. Like the Green Hairstreak butterfly, it is one of those colourful marvels to be found at the nature reserve.