Before Opening
Young cups, still closed, covered in fine hair. Easy to mistake for a slime mould.
Siem Reap
Bird's Nest Fungus
- Species
- Bird's Nest Fungus
- Cyathus
- Location
- Siem Reap
- Photographed
- 10 October 2026
It starts as a cluster of small hairy cones. Each widens into a cup sealed by a thin white lid, the epiphragm, and when the lid splits the cup is open for rain.
Cups smaller than a fingernail, each holding a clutch of "eggs". The eggs are packets of spores, called peridioles. When a raindrop lands in the cup it fires them out, up to a metre away, and each one trails a sticky thread that lassos the nearest twig.
It grows on rotting wood and plant debris, so the rainy season is its moment. Photographed over four days in October 2026.
Sealed
The cup is sealed by a thin white lid, the epiphragm. When it splits, the eggs are ready for rain.
Siem Reap
Three Nests
Bird's nest fungus (Cyathus), each cup smaller than a fingernail.
Siem Reap
Two Eggs
The "eggs" are packets of spores, called peridioles.
Siem Reap
Full Nest
The cup is a splash cup. A raindrop landing in it fires the eggs out up to a metre, and each trails a sticky thread that snags on the nearest twig.
Siem Reap
Among the Twigs
It grows on rotting wood and plant debris, so the rainy season is its moment.
Siem Reap