involved ancestors that changed their stem morphology into “nests” and spore- bearing gills into lintel shaped “eggs” (Hibbett et al., 1997). Te first study dedicated to resolving
the phylogenetic relationship among BNF and estimating the ancestral states of the Nidulariaceae was conducted in 2024 (Kraisitudomsook et al., 2024). Trait evolution studies suggest that the ancestor of extant species was likely a gasteroid fungus with a peridium similar to what is found in the genera Nidularia, Mycocalia, and Retiperidiolia today. Interestingly, Brodie asserted that these complex changes are “irreversible” and unlike some other fungi features, could have evolved only once (Brodie, 1975).
Species Profiles Crucibulum laeve (common or
white bird’s nest fungus) Crucibulum was the third BNF genus
to be described but it was incorrectly placed in Peziza, an ascomycete genus known for its cup-like ascocarps. Crucibulum comes from the medieval Latin word crucibulum, meaning “an earthen pot used to melt metals.” Laeve comes from Latin and means “smooth,” referring to the nest interior wall. Nest Exterior: Size: Up to 10 mm in
height and diameter. Shape: globose becoming broadly cup- or goblet-like. Layers: 2. Texture: velvety, no setae. Color: often shiny. Tawny yellow becoming darker with age. Texture: bald to slightly velvety. Epiphragm: membranous, velvety with coarse yellow to orange hairs turning white with age and then disappearing. Nest Interior: Color: White or pale grey. Texture: bald and smooth. Eggs: 5–8 or more per nest, 1–2 mm in diameter, ellipsoidal, tan or buff, and smooth to slightly wrinkled. Habit: Saprobic. Alone, scattered, or clustered in colonies. Habitat: old matting, dung, decaying woody debris, nut shells. Never on soil. Distribution: circumpolar in temperate-zones (Brodie, 1975; Barron, 1999).
Cyathus striatus (fluted bird’s nest) Cyathus was the first genus to be
described and placed in Nidulariaceae. It is the largest and most diverse genus with 94 accepted species grouped according to some obvious similarities. Te striatus group has distinct furrows on the interior wall of the nest. Cyathus
14 FUNGI Volume 19:2 Summer 2026
Figure 8. A cluster of Cyathus stercoreus showing smooth buff inner wall. Renée Lebeuf photo.
comes from ancient Greek and means “a small ladle.” Striatus comes from Latin and means “streaked or grooved” and
refers to the texture of the nest interior. ___________
3___________ Nest Exterior: Shape: Vase (slender
base flaring upwards), rim margin with short but distinct setae. Size: up to 20 mm tall and up to 10 mm wide, Layers: 3. Texture: upward and downward pointing irregular shaggy or woolly hairs. Color: grey-brown to orange- brown. Epiphragm: covered in pointed hairs, becoming bald and white with age. Nest Interior: Color: pale grey to greyish brown, shiny. Texture: grooved and bald. Eggs: 2 mm, roughly triangular, white to grey, smooth. Habit: saprobic, scattered, or clustered. Habitat: softwood mulch, bark, and fallen branches, in open forest and trail margins. Distribution: widespread in temperate zones (Brodie, 1975; Barron 1999).
Cyathus stercoreus (dung-loving bird’s nest) Cyathus stercoreus is distinguished
by its shaggy outer wall and black eggs that lack an outer coating. Cyathus comes from ancient Greek and means “ladle.” Stercoreus comes from Latin and means “of dung” on which it
commonly grows. ___________
3___________
Nest Exterior: Shape: inverted cone. Size: up to 15 mm tall. Layers: 3. Texture:
shaggy, sometimes with a tufted untidy appearance. Color: buff to yellow-brown, becoming black with age. Epiphragm: conspicuous, shaggy, red-brown, disappears with age. Nest Interior: Color: buffy brown. Texture: very smooth, lacks a tunica. Eggs: 4–8 mm wide, lead grey to blue-black. Habit: saprobic; solitary or mostly clustered. Habitat: pastures, parks and gardens on dung and heavily manured soils. Distribution: worldwide (Brodie 1975; Barron 1999).
Cyathus olla (gray bird’s nest)
Cyathus olla is one of the largest BNF and distinguished by wide flaring nest openings, large eggs, smooth textures, and fine hairs on the outer next walls. It was first included in the genus Peziza but moved to Cyathus by Peerson in 1801. Te specific epithet olla means “a
squat rounded pot.” ___________
3___________ Nest Exterior: Size: large, up to 18
mm tall and 12 mm wide. Shape: flaring inverted cone, wavy margins. Layers: 3, thick. Texture: smooth, covered in appressed fine hairs, not shaggy. Color: cream to buff brown. Epiphragm: buff brown turning white with age. Nest Interior: Color: lead grey to blue- black fading to pale gray. Texture: very smooth, transverse ridges. Eggs: 8–10 in number, up to 3.5 mm wide, initially silver grey and covered in transparent outer coating. Habit: saprobic, clustered. Habitat: fallen dead twigs, rotting
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
