Fluted Bird's Nest Fungus (Cyathus striatus)

Fluted Bird's Nest Fungus spotted growing on Wood chips in Coney Island Park

Scientific name: Cyathus striatus

Common name: Fluted Bird's Nest Fungus

A uniquely shaped fungus which closely resembles the miniature bird's nest with eggs, this fungus species can commonly be seen growing on wood chips present in the Mulches around Singapore. 

Although many fungi species use wind to disperse spores, the bird's nest fungus often uses raindrops to propel the spores out of the nest and further away.

The nest is commonly known as the peridium, and the spores are kept in the Peridole, within the purse.

When raindrops hit the nest, the droplet pushes the purse out, where it attaches to a near by surface and releases the spores.