The closely related vulcan elf cup ( Geopyxis vulcanalis ) have a pale orange to yellowish fruitbody that is deeply cup shaped before flattening in maturity , and its crushed flesh often have an odor of sulfur . It may be distinguished microscopically by its paraphyses , which lack the orange @-@ brown granules characteristic of G. carbonaria . It also have larger spores , measuring 14 – 22 by 8 – 11 µm . Unlike G. carbonaria , it grow on substrates other than burned wood , including mosses , and needle duff . Tarzetta cupularis , which grow habitats similar to G. carbonaria , is distinguished microscopically by its spores that contain two oil droplets . Other genera with similar species with which G. carbonaria may be confused in the field include Aleuria , Caloscypha , Melastiza , and Sowerbyella .