16 August 2008 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 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 
16 August 2008 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. |