What
is it?
BIRD’S NEST FUNGUS
There are, according to mycologist
Merlin Sheldrake in his new book
Entangled Life, something like
2.2–3.8 million fungi species on
Earth. That’s between 6 and 10
times the number of known plant
species. Among all that fungal
fabulousness, the bird’s nest fungi
are among the most extraordinary,
at least in appearance. Found
worldwide, their dainty fruiting
bodies have often been compared
to minuscule avian nests, but
perhaps look more like luxury
chocolates in fluted wrappers.
The ‘eggs’ or ‘coins’ clustered in
the outer structure are known as
peridioles, and contain the spores.
These, in most cases, disperse as
rain splashes on them. BHQ&A