Specimen #10: Bird's Nest Fungus

Cyathus striatus

Figure 1. Cyathus striatus Note the fuzzy exterior and striated interior of the peridium.

 Figure 2. Top view of Cyathus striatus. Note the grayish egg connected to the side of the 'nest'.

Figure 3. Young Cyathus striatus with 'lid' still present

Figure 4. Cyathus striatus growing in the mulch

Phylum: Basidiomycota
Family: Nidulariaceae
Species: Cyathus striatus
Common name:Bird's Nest Fungus
Collection date: 9/2/2015
Collector: Caroline Kaylor Georskey
Habitat: This specimen was found in a shady mulch pile in Bonney Castle Garden (Hiram, OH. It was fairly dry.
Description: This specimen has multiple stages of development as shown above. Figure 3 shows a young peridium that still has it's 'lid'.  This species has a fuzzy-like exterior (fig. 1& 3) and a striated interior (fig. 1). It is commonly found on mulch (as the case of this specimen). White to gray eggs (peridioles) are inside the ' nest' and are attached to the side (fig. 2).
Key used: Arora, D. (1986). Mushrooms demystified: A comprehensive guide to the fleshy fungi (2nd ed.). Berkley: Ten Speed Press.

Bird's Nest Fungi
Nidulariales p. 778
1. Not as above; fruiting body cylindrical to mug or cup-shaped when mature, containing more than one egg (unless all but one have been expelled)...
2. Not as above; fruiting body typically with a "lid" when very young, the nest usually well formed and persistent; eggs may or may not be imbedded in a mucilage...
4. Eggs white to gray, brown, or black, often (but not always) attached to side of nest by a minute cord or short stalk, not imbedded in a mucilage; sides of nest vertical to tapered...
6. Interior of nest longitudinally striate (with distinct radical grooves)...

Cyathus striatus

For more information on Cyathus striatus please review the following links:
http://www.mushroomexpert.com/cyathus_striatus.html
http://www.first-nature.com/fungi/cyathus-striatus.php
http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/may2006.html