Light of Morn
Birds Nest Fungi
Small enough to go unnoticed, these midden-heap mushrooms are quite remarkable.
Take a closer look and you'll notice what appears to be tiny birds nests with eggs inside.
Birds Nest fungi emerge like squat little drums with a slightly concave upper surface.
Rain activated, they swell until their tops split open and their cups fill with rainwater.
Rainwater is needed for spore packet development. Note how some mature spore packets have "left the nest".
A collection of Birds Nests fungi, some with their spore packets spilling out
A perfect example of a Birds Nest fungi about to eject its spore packets.
Like the Earth Star mushroom, the Birds Nest arches itself upwards to eject its spores.
Once their spore packets mature, spill out of the nest, the Birds Nest fungi life cycle is complete.
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