Fluted bird's nest
Cyathus striatus
The fluted bird's nest is a tiny fungus, usually under 1 cm, that resembles a bird's nest holding lens-shaped 'eggs'. Its outside is hairy and its inner walls grooved. Falling raindrops splash the eggs out of the cup to spread the spores.
Where it's found
Grows in clusters on dead wood, twigs and woody debris in open forests and on wood-chip mulch, from summer to early winter.
Distribution
Very widespread in temperate areas, recorded from Asia, Europe, the Americas and New Zealand.
Similar species
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