(Bird’s Nest
Fungi)
Bird's
nest fungi are saprophytes and thus decomposers of organic material. They are found most often on decaying wood
and animal dung. They don't harm living
plants/trees.
The
"nest" of this fungi is cup shaped and fuzzy outside/smooth
inside. The black “eggs” are small
capsules known as peridioles which contain the fungal spores. Rainwater or water drips into the splash cup
and when the water hits the bottom of the cup it splashes out with enough force
to eject the peridioles up to a yard away!
If
the nest is on herbivore dung after dispersal they may germinate, form new
mycelium and grow new fruiting bodies.
Or they might be eaten by another herbivore where after 'deposit' they
may germinate and grow! Spores of bird's
nest fungi can travel through the digestive tract of herbivores unharmed.
Nature's resilience... Pretty amazing!
