What are these pods in my garden?

June 19, 2011 1:12 PM

What are these pods in my garden?

I've posted some pictures of the pods here.

I found these pods in our garden this afternoon. At first I thought they were free-standing bee cells, as when I squished one, what looked like a honey-bee butt came out, but upon further inspection it looks as though it's actually a seed pod of some sort.

The pods are cylindrical, about 8mm in diameter and are very firmly attached to the soil. They form a point where they attach to the ground.

posted by soplerfo to home & garden (3 answers total)

Size and structure seem to match the general description of bird's nest mushrooms.
posted by Nomyte at 2:06 PM on June 19, 2011

They're most likely a form of fungus, based on how they're clumped and growing around decaying wood. Perhaps a form of bird's nest fungi? (aka nidulariaceae)

The "eggs" are actually filled with spores that will eventually get ejected by rain. What I believe you're seeing is the fungi its its earlier stages with the epiphragm still intact...take a look sometime later and they should have a more cup-like shape.
posted by samsara at 2:06 PM on June 19, 2011

Totally bird's nest - thanks folks!
posted by soplerfo at 2:36 PM on June 19, 2011