Description

What is the Fluted Bird’s Nest Fungus?

The Fluted Bird’s Nest (Cyathus striatus) is a small but remarkable fungus named for its cup-shaped fruiting body, which resembles a tiny bird’s nest filled with "eggs." These “eggs” are actually peridioles — spore-containing structures — which are launched from the cup by raindrops. It’s one of the most fascinating fungi in the world of spore dispersal and ecological microstructures.

While not edible, it’s highly valued for educational displays, ecological study, and teaching mycology due to its unique reproductive strategy.

Where Does Cyathus striatus Grow?

Cyathus striatus is widely distributed across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It grows on woody debris, mulch, rotting logs, and plant matter in moist forest environments, often appearing in colonies. Fruiting occurs from summer through late fall and is particularly common after rain.

Its preference for decomposing wood and organic matter makes it an important species in the study of nutrient cycling and fungal succession.

Unique Characteristics and Study Potential

Nature’s Spore-Launching Machine

Each fruiting body is a tiny cup (0.5–1 cm tall) with dark, fluted vertical striations and a hairy outer coating. Inside are several silvery peridioles attached by a thread-like funicular cord. When raindrops strike the cup, they eject the peridioles outward — a mechanism that’s as functional as it is visually striking.

This dispersal method is widely studied in fungal biomechanics and ecology, offering insight into how fungi solve the challenge of spore distribution.

Ideal for Education, Display, and Lab Study

Though not cultivated for food or medicine, Cyathus striatus makes an excellent teaching specimen for schools, labs, and naturalists. Its mycelium can colonize woody substrates, making it suitable for controlled observation of fruiting behavior and developmental stages.

This 12cc liquid culture syringe contains active Cyathus striatus mycelium, ideal for agar plates or sterilized wood-based media.

Order Your Fluted Bird’s Nest Liquid Culture Today

Add this tiny marvel of nature to your culture collection. With its nest-like fruiting body and splash-cup spore launch, Cyathus striatus is perfect for educators, researchers, and anyone fascinated by the wonders of fungal design.

Taxonomic Details for Cyathus striatus

• Kingdom: Fungi

• Division: Basidiomycota

• Class: Agaricomycetes

• Order: Agaricales

• Family: Nidulariaceae

• Genus: Cyathus

• Species: Cyathus striatus