species saprobic fungus genus family fruit bodies resemble tiny bird nests filled eggs spore containing structures called like bird nest fungi relies force falling water fruiting bodies disperse spores life cycle fungus allows reproduce sexually spores relatively common fungus worldwide distribution subject agricultural research determine potential means accelerate breakdown crop reduce population plant specific epithet derived latin word meaning pot description bears resemblance miniature bird nest containing eggs common bird nest fungi fruiting body roughly funnel shaped tall wide yellow brown colored covered fine hairs outside surface inner surface silver grey smooth faint transverse ridges thick walled rim rim typically outline eggs typically number cup white grey color diameter larger species covered thin membrane called attached fruiting body structure hyphae 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 wide purse upper portion easily distinguishable lower different form species originally reported england mycologist curtis found oregon colorado usa alberta canada argentina form large cup openings diameter spores dimensions related species lloyd closely resembles mating analysis shown distinct species microscopic features shaped spores dimensions examined microscopic features members family including noted species basidia spore bearing cells club shaped cylindrical long stems clamp connection basal end structure basidia typically hold spores directly attached revealed spore separated temporary marks point attachment spores generally separated basidia collapse breakdown typically occurs simultaneously cells lining inside wall separating basidia outer wall spores generally increase size habitat distribution saprobic fungus nutrients breakdown dead organic matter usually found growing woody debris specimens found growing soil usually attached bits wood stems present soil notes species usually grows moist shaded locations discovery arid regions peru suggest tolerant low moisture conditions abundant species found europe common north_america range extends north sweden far south south_america reported australia south_africa iran india 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 fruiting bodies formed fruiting bodies produce containing basidia new young basidia contain pair sexually compatible fuse resulting fusion nucleus undergoes produce found similar higher organisms spore dispersal hits interior cup proper angle velocity produce considerable force create splash drives water sides cup known splash cups tearing followed cord basal hit nearby plant stem stick sticks cord stem stick powered force moving similar attached plant eaten mammals subsequent passage digestive tract hard shell facilitate later experiments investigating splash dispersal shown maximum horizontal distance centimetres observed species reduced distance factors greater size construction increased seen upper lip splash cup agricultural applications fungal disease results major yield loss affected crops infected crop left farm fields continue produce spores future crops buried broken completely observation grows fruits led research potential fungus reduce borne diseases like study abilities shown wheat appeared preference woody compared
Cyathus olla