Species details
Common bird's nest fungus
Crucibulum laeve
Inedible
Photo: Alexis · CC BY 4.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A tiny cup-like fungus that reveals several pale lentil-shaped peridioles after opening, resembling eggs in a nest.
Identification features
Fruitbodies are about 5–10 mm tall, yellowish-brown and finely hairy outside. A membrane closes the young cup; later smooth pale peridioles are exposed.
Identification checklist
Check the small pale cup with smooth interior and several pale peridioles; the inside is not ribbed as in Cyathus striatus.
Habitat
Grows on decaying plant debris, small wood fragments, mulch and straw from spring to autumn.
Fruiting period
May, June, July, August, September, October
Ecology
- Substrate
- Wood
- Notes
- Grows on decaying plant debris, small wood fragments, mulch and straw from spring to autumn.
How to separate similar species
Cyathus olla is usually larger and greyer; Cyathus striatus has a distinctly longitudinally ribbed interior.