This fungus ((family Nidulariaceae (Nidulis -‘small nest)) feeds on decomposing organic matter has fruiting bodies that are tiny wonders of nature.
Being only a few millimetres in diameter, they are easily missed or mistaken for puffballs or slime mould spore balls. Lyn Alcock captured Cyathus olla (Field Birds Nest) cups opening on a tiny fallen twig in Foxes Lair.
The fruiting body starts like a mini puffball, before the membrane on top thins and breaks to reveal a cup containing ‘eggs’ called peridioles. Each peridiole contains spores and structure that produce them that are covered by a tough membrane. Raindrops falling directly into the cup splash the peridioles out of the cup on to grow.
Being only a few millimetres in diameter, they are easily missed or mistaken for puffballs or slime mould spore balls. Lyn Alcock captured Cyathus olla (Field Birds Nest) cups opening on a tiny fallen twig in Foxes Lair.
The fruiting body starts like a mini puffball, before the membrane on top thins and breaks to reveal a cup containing ‘eggs’ called peridioles. Each peridiole contains spores and structure that produce them that are covered by a tough membrane. Raindrops falling directly into the cup splash the peridioles out of the cup on to grow.
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