New Zealand Fungi

DSC_6682 White birdsnest (Nidula niveotomentosa) growing on decaying beech twigs. A small flared 'hairy' cup on the outside, with a pool of jelly containing the pinkish-brown spore masses ('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 the egg out onto the surrounding vegetation. Boyle River *

DSC6682WhitewoollybirdsnestfungusNidulacandidaniveotomentosa'hairy' cuppool of jellyspore masseseggsperidiolesBoyle River