Bird's Nest Fungi

BIRD'S NEST

G. D.

FUNGI

HEATHCOTE

Fungi come in some extraordinary forms, but perhaps the strängest are the Bird's Nest Fungi (Nidulariaceae). If it is possible to have 'favourite' fungi, then these are mine. They belong to the Gasteromyces group of fungi, which includes the Puffballs, Stink-horns and Earth-stars. In turn, this group is included in the Basidiomyces group, which includes most of the larger mushrooms and toadstools. The spores of Gasteromycetes develop inside the fruit-body and are only shed when mature. In their Fungi and slime moulds in Suffolk Martin and Pam Ellis (1988) record that Crucibulum laeve, Cyathus olla and C. striatus, and the nearly-related Nidularia farcta and Sphaerobolus tellatus have been found in Suffolk. I want to comment on the first three species, which are true 'bird' nests'.

Crucibulum laeve (syn. C. vulgare) is recorded in most books on toadstools as 'occasional' or 'common', but it is easily missed. We have found it growing on pine twigs in the King's Forest at West Stow, west Suffolk. Little groups of yellowish-white cups, about 0-5cm across and 0-5cm high are found, each closed at first by a membrane (epiphragm). This soon breaks to show 8-10 dirty-white 'eggs' (peridioles) within, held to the cup surface by minute cords (funicules).

Cyathus striatus seems to be less common in west Suffolk, but we have found it on pine logs in Brandon Country Park. The cups are bigger than those of C. laeve, nearly 1cm high and about 0-5cm across, sometimes in groups of 20 or more. The cup is an elongated bell, attached to the log by its

B I R D ' S NEST FUNGI

Spore dispersal lafter Nilsson & Persson. 1978)

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 26 (1990)

BIRD's NEST FUNGI

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narrow base. T h e outside of the cup is dark brown and 'hairy', the inside white and fluted. Once again the whitish 'eggs' are at first covered by a membrane.

I have only found Cyathus olla once, but then in enormous numbers. It grew on the soil among the barley stubble after harvest at B r o o m ' s Barn Experimental Station, at Heigham, and of course these Bird's Nests disappeared when the field was ploughed in late autumn, so few had a chance to see them. This species is trumpet-shaped, with a broad rim, felty on the outside and dull grey and silvery inside, without striations. C. olla is shorter than C. striatus but much wider across the top of the cup.

Not only are these fungi remarkable for their resemblance to birds' nests but their method of spore dispersal is remarkable also. The eggs are somewhat flattened and attached by a sticky thread. They are splashed out of the cups by raindrops, and may become entangled with nearby Vegetation by these sticky threads. Ramsbottom (1953) Claims that the eggs do not open of their own accord, but the spores are liberated when the walls are destroyed by insects, or in some other way.

References Ellis, M. & Ellis, P. (1989). Fungi and slime moulds in Suffolk. T h e Suffolk Naturalists' Society, Ipswich.

Nilsson, S. & Persson, O . (1978). Fungi of Northern Eruope. 1. Larger fungi (excluding gill-fungi). Penguin Nature Series.

Ramsbotton, J. (1953). Mushrooms and toadstools. Collins New Naturalist.

Dr. G. D . Heathcote, 2, St. Mary's Square, Bury St. E d m u n d s , IP33 2AJ

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 26 (1990)