Cyathus novaezelandiae

Description:

Small nest like fungii with small silver 'eggs' called peridioles (packets containing spores) growing in clusters of a few to sometimes hundreds. Approximately 12mm diameter. Striated insides with cream to chocolate colours. Younger ones have a white cover which tears at maturity to release the 'peridioles'. It is supected that they are designed to be washed out by a direct hit from a rain drop. As it was raining on the day of the spotting we can confirm it works.

Habitat:

Wood mulch of mixed timbers.