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Project Noah Nature School
Crucibulum laeve
This fungus looks like tiny birds' nests! Initially, they look like fluffy, yellow cushions (see 3rd picture). As they mature, they become cup-shaped, the lid disappears, and the outer surface turns brown. The fruiting body "nests" contain spore-filled periodoles ("eggs"). The nests, called peridia, serve as splash cups, and when raindrops strike the nest, the periodoles are projected into the air where they latch onto branches, leaves, etc.
Growing in mulch in a rural garden.
Spotted on Feb 20, 2018
Submitted on Feb 21, 2018
3 Comments
Your welcome, Christine....
Thanks maplemoth. The "eggs" aren't usually white when I find them - they are usually tan (they darken with maturity), and I really liked the color difference of these.
Five, beautiful photos....beautiful colors....