Garden Fungi – Cyathus striatus

 

Cyathus striatus

(© Pat Leonard)

Cyathus striatus

(© FE Guard)


 
Grows on MULCH and LEAF LITTER.
 
There are a number of very small, vase-shaped fungi that are commonly termed a “Bird’s Nest” fungus. Some of these are in the Genus Cyathus. The pictured species is Cyathus striatus, the Fluted Bird’s Nest fungi.
 
Fruit-body: Very small, diameter to 10 mm at flared rim at maturity, firm, vase-shaped fungus. Initially a furry beige small globose object; the top splits open to reveal a shiny, dark grey interior with a number of small black “seeds” called peridioles, about 2 mm diameter, in the bottom.
 
Stem: Very short and not really differentiated from the cap.
 
Spore print: Not obtained.
 
Smell: None.
 
Habit: Gregarious. Found on sticks, rotting wood, sugar-cane mulch etc in garden pots and beds. Frequently seen in Moggill gardens during March 2009 and thousands of Cyathus sp. were observed growing in the garden beds at the Berrinba Wetlands, Browns plains in April 2009.
 
Notes: This is a fascinating little fungus. The spores are spread when a raindrop falls into the vase shape and triggers the ejection of the periodioles which contain the spores. The upper edge of Cyathus striatus is striate.