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16 August 2008 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin

Species

Cyathus striatus

Common Name

Fluted Bird's Nest

Fruiting Body

Initially urn shaped, coarsely hairy, brown, then opening at the top to reveal a white membrane, which splits, exposing a hollow interior containing a small number of grey seed like spore cases, or peridioles, to about 20mm high

Smell

Indistinct

Taste

Indistinct

Season

Spring to early winter

Distribution

Infrequent

Habitat

On woody debris, often clustered in large groups

Spore Print

White to yellowish

Microscopic Features

Spores ellipsoidal, smooth (15-22) x (8-12) µm²

Edibility

Inedible

Notes

The spores are spread by rain drops landing in the cup and propelling the spore cases, or peridioles, away from the fungus, where they rupture releasing the spores onto the new substrate

Additional Photographs

16 August 2008 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin