Bird's Nest Fungus ?

[Lancashire Lad]

Found today, growing from soil on what appeared to be the remains of an old Fern root system.

Sizes up to approx 15mm tall x approx 8-9mm wide.

They appear to look like some photos that I've seen of unopened Fluted Bird's Nest Fungus - Cyathus striatus, but a few had been (presumably) nibbled by slugs or other beasties, revealing a white "furry" appearance to the interiors.

No signs of internal fluting or of the "eggs", or of the thin white internal membrane talked about in various descriptions for Cyathus species.

Are they just immature fruitbodies? - or am I completely on the wrong track?




Any replies / confirmations / other, much appreciated.

Regards,
Mike.

[SheffieldLass]

Young rather small Lycoperdon echinatum????

Melanie

[flaxton]

I would agree with Melanie a young Lycoperdon but at this size thats as far as I would go.

Mal

[Lancashire Lad]

Thanks for the replies Melanie & Mal.

I've never seen any Bird's Nest fungi, nor indeed, any Spiny Puffballs - Lycoperdon echinatum (let alone any young ones!) - so I just never considered those as a possibility.

But the more I look at my specimens when compared to the characteristics of both genera, I'm pretty well sure that you are correct.

Regards,
Mike.