Species details
Field bird's nest
Cyathus olla
Inedible
Photo: Bjorn Sothmann · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Photo source · License
.jpg){kind=link}
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.
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
Ecology
- Substrate
- Buried wood
- Notes
- Grows on decaying plant debris, buried twigs, litter, straw and wood fragments from late spring to autumn.
How to separate similar species
Cyathus striatus has a distinctly longitudinally ribbed inner wall and a hairier exterior.