Bird’s Nest

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No not the winged avian nests.

Instead the fungus known as Bird’s Nest fungus. These fascinating little fungi look a bit like a tiny bird’s nest with eggs. Thus the common name. “The fruiting bodies form little cuplike nests which contain spore-filled eggs. The nests are called “peridia” (“peridium” in the singular), and serve as splash cups; when raindrops strike the nest, the eggs (called “peridioles”) are projected into the air, where they latch onto twigs, branches, leaves, and so on.“
This particular species is named Dung-loving Birds Nest Fungus (Cyathus stercoreus)! Appropriate, considering it does like cow dung! However sometimes it can be found on wood chips or organic debris.

Here I removed one from the dung. The exterior of the cup is shaggy. The “eggs” are usually about 1 to 2 mm. The cup ranges up to a centimeter.
Then I split it open to see if I could find the cord. It is said it can be difficult to find for this species. Furthermore I agree. LOL. The inside of cup additionally is smooth. There is another similar looking species but it has grooves on the interior. I found this one after the Bob survey.
Next the Common Bird’s Nest Fungus (Crucibulum laeve) was one I found earlier this spring. It’s was on a broken stick.
It’s exterior is more fuzzy and the “eggs” are white.

And the cord which is call funiculus was easy to find. This cord “is the egg’s mechanism for attaching itself to sticks, leaves, and other plant debris. When a raindrop falls into the nest, the eggs are projected out of the cup. As this happens, the cord is stretched to its limit–then breaks away from the nest, remaining attached to the egg. Where the cord was attached to the nest, it becomes frayed, since it was torn away. The little frayed ends are adhesive, and when they come into contact with, for example, a leaf, they attach themselves. This stops the flight of the egg, which then swings back and attaches itself to the leaf.”

Keep your eyes peeled for all the bird nests!

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Keep looking!

The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know

2 Comments

  1. Those have got to be the cutest fungi. Birds nest. Love that people are trying to save the prairie. Good luck folks.

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  2. That birds nest fungi is super – and cute too.
    Hooray for the guerilla prairie rescue team!

    Reply

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