Cyathus stercoreus

Cyathus stercoreus: These are called “birds nest fungi” because of the resemblance to eggs in a nest. However, the “eggs” are the place where the spores are borne. They are “bounced out” by raindrops which hit into the “nest” as much as 8 or 9 feet away. The covering of the peridiole “egg” sloughs off and the spores germinate and reproduce the fungus.