Birds nest fungi, also known as splash cups or splash platforms, are a unique and fascinating type of fungal growth often found on mulch or decaying wood. Their unusual cup-like shape and resemblance to an actual bird’s nest leads many gardeners to wonder if they should remove them or leave them be.
What are birds nest fungi?
Birds nest fungi belong to the genus Cyathus and family Nidulariaceae. There are over 75 species found worldwide, though the most common in North America are the Splash Cup (Cyathus striatus) and the Tiny Nest Fungus (Cyathus olla). They are given their common name due to their distinctive cup-shaped fruiting bodies, which contain and protect the fungal spores.
The fruiting bodies grow on top of specialized strands called peridioles. When water droplets land in the cups and cause the peridioles to flex, the fungal spores are ejected or “splashed” out up to several feet away. This unique dispersal mechanism gives birds nest fungi their splash cup nickname.
Though they resemble tiny baskets or bird nests, birds nest fungi do not actually function as nests or shelter for insects or other small critters. Their sole purpose is to protect and eject spores.
Are birds nest fungi harmful?
Birds nest fungi are decomposers, meaning they break down organic material like wood and leaf litter to obtain nutrients. They typically grow on decaying hardwood logs, stumps, branches, or mulch, where they help decompose the dead wood.
Despite their alien appearance, birds nest fungi do not harm living plants, trees, or shrubs. The fungus only colonizes wood that is already dead or dying. However, extensive growth can indicate damp conditions or excessive mulch buildup that should be addressed.
Some key facts about the harmlessness of birds nest fungi:
- They are not parasites and do not infect living plants or trees.
- They do not damage healthy plant roots or living tissue.
- They are not toxic or poisonous to pets or people.
- They do not spread to become a problem in lawns or garden beds.
- They indicate moist, mulchy areas but do not directly harm other plants.
Do birds nest fungi attract pests?
Birds nest fungi do not directly attract or harbor plant pests. However, extensive fungal growth can be a sign of excessive moisture or decaying organic material that may also attract decomposer insects like pillbugs, sowbugs, or fungus gnats.
Pillbugs, sowbugs, and fungus gnats are generally more of a nuisance than a threat to garden plants. But minimizing decaying matter and improving drainage can help reduce fugal growths and potential pest issues.
On their own, a few splash cups popping up in the mulch are no cause for concern. They do not signal a pest problem directly. But keeping mulch fresh and thin can discourage extensive fungal growths and associated pests.
Are birds nest fungi beneficial?
As decomposers, birds nest fungi and other wood decay fungi play an important ecological role in breaking down and recycling dead plant material. Some key benefits of birds nest fungi in particular include:
- Helping decompose woody debris like logs, branches, or mulch
- Releasing nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus back into the soil
- Contributing to a healthy soil food web of microorganisms
- Indicating moist, organic-rich soil good for gardens
- Causing no harm to living plants or lawn grass
So while extensive fungal growths can look a bit unsightly, birds nest fungi are actually a good sign of active decomposition. Leaving them in place helps maintain a natural nutrient cycle.
Should you remove birds nest fungi?
In most cases, birds nest fungi do not need to be removed. As harmless decomposers, they can be left to naturally run their course. Clearing them away provides no tangible benefit to your garden or landscape.
However, if their presence bothers you for aesthetic reasons, they can be safely disposed of. Simply pick them off by hand or use a trowel to scoop them out along with the surrounding wood or soil.
To discourage extensive growths:
- Remove buildups of old, wet mulch
- Allow mulched areas to dry out between waterings
- Space plants appropriately to increase air flow
- Trim back overhanging branches to reduce shade and moisture
- Repair irrigation leaks contributing to excess dampness
But again, removing the fungi themselves is not required. Focus instead on addressing the underlying conditions spurring on heavy growth.
Can you eat birds nest fungi?
While certain mushrooms are choice edible varieties, birds nest fungi are not considered an edible species. Consuming them is not recommended due to:
- Unverified edibility and potential toxicity
- Small size and tough texture
- Possibility of misidentification leading to poisoning
It is best to avoid eating birds nest fungi. Many mushrooms should only be consumed if identified by an expert. When in doubt, it is safest not to eat any fungal growth found growing wild.
Key takeaways on birds nest fungi
- Birds nest fungi (Cyathus species) are an unusual type of wood-decaying fungus.
- They grow cup-shaped fruiting bodies that eject spores.
- They are harmless decomposers that help break down woody mulch and debris.
- Extensive growth can indicate overly moist, organic-rich conditions.
- Birds nest fungi do not need to be removed, but wet mulch should be replaced.
- They are not considered an edible species of mushroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do birds nest fungi look like?
Birds nest fungi produce small, cup-shaped fruiting structures that resemble tiny bird nests. They are typically a few centimeters wide and tall. Common colors are tan, brown, or grey. Inside the “nest” is tissue called peridioles that contain the spores.
Where do you find birds nest fungi?
Birds nest fungi grow on dead woody material like fallen branches, logs, stumps, or woodchip mulch. They feed off decaying hardwoods as decomposers. Moist, shady areas with lots of organic mulch are hotspots.
Are birds nest fungi edible?
No, birds nest fungi are not considered an edible species of mushroom. They have no known culinary uses, and ingesting them may cause stomach upset or poisoning. It is best not to eat any mushroom growing in the wild unless you have expertise in identification.
Do birds nest fungi jump or explode?
Birds nest fungi eject their spores forcefully when water droplets hit the tissue inside the “nest.” The spores can fly out several inches to feet away. This helps explain common nicknames like splash cups and splash platforms. But the fungi do not literally jump or explode.
Are birds nest fungi dangerous?
No, birds nest fungi are not dangerous or toxic to plants, pets, or people. As decomposers, they only live on and break down dead wood. They will not harm living trees or spread into lawns. Ingesting them is not advised, but simply touching them is harmless.
Should I remove birds nest fungi from my garden?
Birds nest fungi typically do not need to be removed, as they are harmless decomposers. But excessive growth can indicate overly damp mulch. Replacing waterlogged mulch can help reduce fungal growths. Simply discard the fungi along with the mulch if desired.
How do birds nest fungi spread?
Birds nest fungi spread when water droplets hit the cup-like fruiting structures, causing them to forcibly eject spores up to several feet away. The spores then germinate to colonize new dead wood. Wind and insects play little role in spore dispersal.
Do birds nest fungi attract pests?
Birds nest fungi do not directly attract or harbor plant pests. But extensive fungal growth can indicate conditions like excessive moisture that may also attract decomposer insects. Addressing the underlying issues can reduce both fungal growth and pest presence.
Should I be concerned about extensive fungal growth?
Seeing a few splash cups is no cause for concern. But heavy fungal growth on mulch can be a sign of overly moist conditions. Drying out the mulch and improving airflow can help. Completely replacing waterlogged mulch is recommended to reduce excessive fungi.
What is the difference between birds nest fungi and mushrooms?
Mushrooms typically have a stalk with a cap on top. Birds nest fungi instead form small, cup-shaped fruiting bodies that resemble nests. While mushrooms aid decomposition in the soil, birds nest fungi grow on and decay above-ground woody debris.
Can you pick birds nest fungi?
Yes, birds nest fungi can be gently picked by hand or removed along with decaying wood or mulch using a trowel or small shovel. There is no harm in removing them if desired, though they do not necessarily need clearing away.
Conclusion
Birds nest fungi are intriguing cup-shaped fungi that naturally occur on decaying wood. As harmless decomposers, they typically do not need to be removed or controlled. But excessive growth can indicate overly damp conditions requiring mulch replacement or improvement to drainage and airflow.
A few splash cups here and there are no cause for concern. They play an important ecological role while causing no harm to landscape plants. Simply keep an eye out for heavy fungal growths and address the underlying issues as needed. Allow birds nest fungi to otherwise go about their business breaking down woody debris.
