Cyathus Striatus, Streaked Bird's-Nest

Day 29: Bird's-nest fungi fascinate me, and this discovery gave me the opportunity to add a new species to my growing list of photo submissions to the WTU Herbarium. It is Cyathus striatus, variously known as Streaked Bird's-nest, Fluted Bird's-nest, Ribbed Splash Cup and a host of other common names. It is relatively easy to identify (at least here in the Pacific Northwest) by the combination of two distinctive features: the striations in the interior of the cup and the fluted "nest." It is somewhat shaggy (tomentose) on the exterior when fresh and not waterlogged, and young specimens may exhibit a pale "lid" on the cup. Once the lid opens, the peridioles are revealed. These lentil-shaped "eggs" hold the spores, and in this species, they are attached to the "nest" by a fine cord. This prevents the peridioles from being washed any distance from the parent, so the "nests" are frequently found in groupings such as this.