I like to call it Gus, the fun fungus

July 8, 2007 6:21 PM

FungusFilter: Can anyone identify this fungus, spotted in my back yard? Each one is about the size of a pea. I'm in central Texas, where we've been getting unusually heavy rainfall lately.
posted by adamrice to Science & Nature (6 answers total)

Best answer: Bird's Nest Fungus.
posted by Ostara at 6:25 PM on July 8, 2007 [1 favorite]

Yup, Ostara's got it. The color makes me think it's probaby Cyathus stercoreus, but you'd need a dichotomous key and the help of someone with more of a clue than I have to get the species exactly.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 7:27 PM on July 8, 2007

Ostara is correct.
posted by oneirodynia at 7:27 PM on July 8, 2007

Response by poster: Wow. That was quick. Thanks!
posted by adamrice at 7:33 PM on July 8, 2007

Wow, first time I read the question I didn't see "yard" and was about to vehemently suggest seeing a doctor, but I guess Bird's Nest Fungus works too.
posted by rezaman at 7:40 PM on July 8, 2007

This diagram, from Ostara's link, explains how the incredible little things 'work.'

I tried to guess, but I was nowhere near wild enough.
posted by jamjam at 8:33 PM on July 8, 2007