New Zealand Fungi

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DSC_0447 Scaly birdsnest (Cyathus striatus) flared cup, brownish-white, smooth and fluted on the inside. The outer surface is shaggy with brown hairs or scales. Cups containing light to dark grey, disc shaped spore masses (the 'eggs' or peridioles). This group of fungi have a specialised method of spore dispersal. A droplet of water falls into the cup and splashes the spore masses out onto the surrounding vegetation. Woodhaugh, Dunedin *

DSC 0447 Scaly birdsnest fungus Cyathus striatus cup shaggy brown spore masses eggs peridioles group fungi spore dispersal Woodhaugh Dunedin