commonly known bird nest common saprobic bird nest fungus widespread distribution temperate regions world fungus resembles miniature bird nest numerous tiny eggs eggs actually lens shaped bodies contain spores distinguished bird nest fungi exterior inner walls frequently found growing dead wood open forests grows wood chip urban areas fruiting bodies encountered summer early winter color size species vary somewhat typically centimeter wide tall grey brown color common given splash cups alludes method spore dispersal sides cup angled falling drops water cup specific epithet derived latin meaning fine ridges grooves taxonomy described work transferred description nest usually height width size somewhat variable specimens found heights shape typically resembles inverted cone outer surface ranges color slightly brownish grayish buff deep brown texture hairs pointing downward inner surface shiny young specimens lid technically called thin membrane covers cup opening like rest surface hairs wear leaving thin white layer stretched lid cup matures expands membrane breaks falls exposing attached growing surface mass closely packed hyphae called maximum diameter typically incorporating small fragments growing surface structure structure wide rarely wide disc shaped appear angular pressure neighbouring dark gray covered thin membrane called attached complex known singular differentiated regions basal piece inner wall middle piece upper called purse connected lower surface inside purse middle piece thread interwoven hyphae called cord attached end end mass hyphae called dry wet capable long extension microscopic characteristics basidia spore bearing cells club shaped long typically hold spores attached directly surface short stalk spores measure long wide elliptical smooth hyaline end development spores separated basidia collapse cells lining inner walls spores expand size somewhat detached basidia habitat distribution saprobic fungus nutrition decaying organic material typically found growing clusters small twigs woody debris common shrubs features largely influence appearance equal likely found moist shallow depressions elevated areas widespread temperate areas world growing summer fall fungus recorded asia europe north_america central_america south_america new_zealand life cycle reproduce spores sexually typical taxa contain stages produced contain single nucleus spores dispersed suitable growing environment develop hyphae single nucleus cell compartment hyphae different mating compatibility groups fuse form process called period time appropriate environmental conditions fruiting bodies formed fruiting bodies produce containing basidia new spores young basidia contain pair sexually compatible fuse resulting fusion nucleus undergoes produce process found similar higher organisms spore dispersal cone shaped fruiting body makes use splash cup mechanism help disperse spores hits interior cup optimal angle velocity downward force water air force open releasing tightly wound cord attached end contacts nearby plant stem stick sticks cord stem stick powered force moving similar time eventually release spores eaten animals passing digestive tract compounds proven rich source chemical compounds reported produce substances compounds ring structure complex compounds collectively known years later research revealed substances compounds known activity fungi negative bacteria produces compounds called contains compounds acid acid acid acid compounds unknown prior isolation
Cyathus striatus