For Anyone Interested in the Wildlife of the U.K.
Bird's Nest Fungi
Scientific name: Crucibulum laeve
Size: Approx 5mm in diameter and 10mm deep
Distribution: Found in many parts of the U.K.
Months seen: June to October
Habitat: Normally found on rotting wood and vegetable matter
Special features: The bird's nest fungi is often overlooked on account of its small size. It starts off as a yellowish, funnel-shaped growth. The top has a membrane which falls away to reveal the egg-shaped contents. These 'eggs', called 'peridioles', are containers for the spores, and they're attached to the nest by a tiny thread. When raindrops land inside the cup they get knocked out, and the spores get dispersed.
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