species fungus genus family like members resembles tiny bird nest filled eggs spore containing structures known initially described mycologist found growing mountain alberta canada life cycle allows reproduce sexually smaller species produces number unique molecules known specific epithet species given tribute late wife helen description resemblance bears miniature bird nest eggs source common bird nest fungi fruit body shaped roughly like inverted cone upper sharply opening normally wide height fruit body outer surface pale brown grey color covered clusters fungal hyphae resemble hairs hairs appear clusters generally point downward inner surface smooth grey silver somewhat shiny surface inner surface faint distinct vertical ridges known like species cup attached growing surface called diameter typically wider incorporates bits organic trash eggs bird nest diameter covered covering layer attached fruit body structure hyphae differentiated regions basal piece inner wall middle piece upper called purse connected lower surface purse middle piece thread interwoven hyphae called cord attached end end mass hyphae called spores spherical shape dimensions long wide tend slightly narrower end commonly spore wall thickness distinguished common faint inner surface pronounced arrangement hairs outer surface spore shape ellipsoid habitat distribution species initially described mycologist collected alberta canada altitude feet found growing small flat stones attached dried remains alpine plants derived species tribute late wife helen species known live alpine habitats dry areas idaho reported mexico reported growing tropical forest mexico costa_rica recorded brazil report species south_america life cycle life cycle contains stages typical taxa reproduce spores sexually produced contain single nucleus dispersal spores grow hyphae single nucleus compartment hyphae different mating compatibility groups fuse form process called period time appropriate environmental conditions fruit bodies formed fruit bodies produce containing basidia new young basidia contain pair sexually compatible fuse resulting fusion nucleus undergoes produce spore dispersal drop falling water hits interior cup appropriate angle velocity ejected air force drop force tears open purse results expansion cord pressure lower purse followed highly cord basal hit nearby plant stem stick sticks cord stem stick powered force moving drying remains attached vegetation eaten grazing animal later deposited animal continue life cycle compounds produces series chemical compounds known properties bacteria capacity produce similar limited strains basic chemical structure known skeleton unique investigated nuclear magnetic resonance molecules structure created
Cyathus helenae