As far as I can tell from the limited fungi references I have available, this is the White-egg Bird’s Nest Fungus. It’s easy to see where it gets its common name, even though the eggs are slightly deflated here. The spores develop inside the spheroid egg shaped structures. Apparently the action of raindrops falling into the nest aids in dispersal of the spores by splashing them out onto the surrounding area.
The entire nest is less than two tenths of an inch across. You can get a good idea of its size by comparing it to the moss and cedar needle nearby.
As far as I can tell from the limited fungi references I have available, this is the White-egg Bird’s Nest Fungus. It’s easy to see where it gets its common name, even though the eggs are slightly deflated here. The spores develop inside the spheroid egg shaped structures. Apparently the action of raindrops falling into the nest aids in dispersal of the spores by splashing them out onto the surrounding area.
The entire nest is less than two tenths of an inch across. You can get a good idea of its size by comparing it to the moss and cedar needle nearby.
Wow! Newer knew something like this even exists. I'm fascinated by fungi very much. There are so many interesting species everywhere. Do these Bird’s Nest Fungi usually grow on trees or on the ground or somewhere else too?
ReplyDeleteAluajala,
ReplyDeleteI've only seen this species twice and both times it was on a dead cedar branch along with lichens and mosses. My book says it is found on dead wood and debris, so I may have seen it in a typical situation. It's so small it is almost impossible to see unless you're right on top of it.