Bird's Nest Mane Mushroom

Bird's Nest Mushroom

Related Information
Types of Mushrooms

When it comes to mushroom typology, sometimes looks can be deceiving.

The case of the Bird's Nest mushroom speaks to the claim.

Bird's Nest mushrooms refer to a family (Nidulariaceae) of small mushrooms that resemble bird's nests.

Rather than being placed in any of the cup mushroom groupings, Bird's Nests get classified in the order, Agaricales, the gilled mushrooms. Current taxonomy placement stems more from DNA analysis rather than physical appearance.

The smaller objects in the nest resembling eggs, are actually spore cases that open and disseminate during periods of rain.

A variety of species are documented from coast to coast, and they often grow in bunches on tree branches and stumps.

The picture shows a bird's nest enlarged by a factor of three to highlight its details.

Bird's Nest Mushroom