Species details
Field bird's nest
Cyathus olla
Inedible
Photo: Bjorn Sothmann · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Photo source · License
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Description
A tiny bird's-nest fungus containing silver-grey lentil-shaped spore packets that are splashed out by raindrops.
Identification features
The fruitbody is about 10–18 mm tall, cup- to bell-shaped. It is closed by a membrane when young, later opening to reveal several smooth grey lentil-shaped peridioles.
Identification checklist
Check the smooth greyish inner cup and several pale-grey peridioles; the exterior is less distinctly striate than in Cyathus striatus.
How to separate similar species
Cyathus striatus has a distinctly longitudinally ribbed inner wall and a hairier exterior.
Habitat
Grows on decaying plant debris, buried twigs, litter, straw and wood fragments from late spring to autumn.
Fruiting period
May, June, July, August, September, October, November