possible cup type fungus?

[Kat79]

New to this site - have fungus question! I recently found this fungus growing in my garden - specifically on a two-paving-slab patch that I recently removed a layer of cardboard and plastic from (been trying to kill weeds). I dug the area - very stony with builders' rubble etc - and watered it, planting out two pots of herbs. The area away from the plants has produced what I at first thought was someone's squid trimmings thrown over my fence!!

Each is anything from 1cm to 7 cm accross, look a bit like a squashed pot (hence tentative idea that might be some sort of cup fungus?), pale grey on the outside, darker brown inside. It also appears to be growing under the nearby plastic garden sack that held my last lawn trimmings. The whole area is north-facing and permanantly shaded by the house. The fungi don't seem to smell (although I haven't really handled any) and are relatively quickly colonising my putative herb plot.

I don't need a full indentification, but given I have dogs and year old toddler twins I do need to find out if it is something I need to remove sharpish, or something that can be allowed to grow in peace!

Any ideas welcome! Thanks!

[flaxton]

Hi Kat
Welcome to WAB. A photo would be helpful but if it is fungi rather than lichen I think you might have a peziza. Try a web search and see if the pictures look similar. If this is the case there are no problems for children or pets.

Mal