Crucibulum (fungus)

Crucibulum
Crucibulum laeve
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Nidulariaceae
Genus: Crucibulum
Tul. & C.Tul. (1844)
Type species
Crucibulum laeve
(Huds.) Kambly (1936)[1]
Species

Crucibulum cyathiforme
Crucibulum laeve
Crucibulum parvulum

Crucibulum
View the Mycomorphbox template that generates the following list
Glebal hymenium
Cap is infundibuliform
Hymenium attachment is not applicable
Lacks a stipe
Ecology is saprotrophic
Edibility is inedible

Crucibulum is a genus in the Nidulariaceae, a family of fungi whose fruiting bodies resemble tiny egg-filled bird's nests. Often called "splash cups", the fruiting bodies are adapted for spore dispersal by using the kinetic energy of falling drops of rain.[2] The "eggs" inside the bird's nests (technically known as peridioles) are hard waxy shells containing spores, and tend to stick to whatever nearby herbage they land on, thus increasing the odds of being consumed and dispersed by herbivorous animals.[3] Members of this genus are saprobic, obtaining nutrients from dead organic matter, and are typically found growing on decayed wood and wood debris. The three known Crucibulum species (C. laeve, C. parvulum, and C. cyathiforme) are distinguished from other genera of the Nidulariaceae by their relatively simple funiculus – a cord of hyphae that connects the peridiole (the "eggs") to the exterior of the bird's nest.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kambly 1936 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference urlThe Nidulariaceae (MushroomExpert.Com) was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Buller 1942 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).