List of Cyathus species


Cyathus is a genus of fungi in the family Nidulariaceae. Along with the genera Crucibulum, Mycocalia, Nidula and Nidularia, they are known collectively as the bird's nest fungi due to their small nest-like fruiting bodies containing egg-shaped peridioles. The genus Cyathus was monographed by mycologist Lloyd, and later Brodie, and their species concepts, especially those of Brodie, are followed by most mycologists.

Taxonomic characters

The differentiation of Cyathus species is based on observable characters, such as fruiting body shape, coverings and plications of peridia, and microscopic characteristics such as the anatomy of peridioles, and the size and shape of basidiospores. The following characters are used to help identify Cyathus species:
Microscopic characters
The following list of species is compiled from Brodie's monograph and subsequent revision, as well as articles written since then describing new species or reducing others to synonymy.
Species
authority
DistributionDimensions
CharacteristicsSpore size
shape
EtymologyDistributionDimensions
CharacteristicsSpore size
shape
C. africanus
H.J. Brodie
Mount Kilimanjaro 4–6 × 6–8experidium not plicate, woolly, hairs of equal length knotted into tight curls; endoperidium smooth with faint or irregular ridges; peridioles 2–2.5 mm in diameter, silvery with tunica6.5–8.5 × 8.5–12
ovoid, with a distinct apiculus
L. AfricanMount Kilimanjaro 4–6 × 6–8experidium not plicate, woolly, hairs of equal length knotted into tight curls; endoperidium smooth with faint or irregular ridges; peridioles 2–2.5 mm in diameter, silvery with tunica6.5–8.5 × 8.5–12
ovoid, with a distinct apiculus
C. amazonicus
Trierveiler-pereira & Baseia
Brazil9–11 × 5–7experidium finely plicate, woolly, hairs yellowish brown; endoperidium distinctly plicate; peridioles 2–3 × 1.2–2 mm, dark gray and shiny14–19 × 12–16
subglobose
L. AmazonBrazil9–11 × 5–7experidium finely plicate, woolly, hairs yellowish brown; endoperidium distinctly plicate; peridioles 2–3 × 1.2–2 mm, dark gray and shiny14–19 × 12–16
subglobose
C. annulatus
H.J. Brodie
Cypress Hills 7–10 × 7–12pale brown, covered on exoperidium with tomentum; basal emplacement small and inconspicuous; endoperidium pale buff, shiny, lightly striate; lip of peridium with deep brown ring 0.5 mm wide; peridioles 1.5–1.75 mm, roughly triangular with shiny tunica15.5–17 × 15–19
ellipsoid to or roughly spherical
Cypress Hills 7–10 × 7–12pale brown, covered on exoperidium with tomentum; basal emplacement small and inconspicuous; endoperidium pale buff, shiny, lightly striate; lip of peridium with deep brown ring 0.5 mm wide; peridioles 1.5–1.75 mm, roughly triangular with shiny tunica15.5–17 × 15–19
ellipsoid to or roughly spherical
C. badius
Kobayasi
Japan8–10 × 6–8Exoperidium dark brown, fruiting bodies arising from wooly base 3–mm in diameter; peridioles lenticular, 2.3 mm long by 2 mm wide by 0.6–0.9 mm thick, silvery-lead colored, with tunica.15–18 × 11–13
L. badius Japan8–10 × 6–8Exoperidium dark brown, fruiting bodies arising from wooly base 3–mm in diameter; peridioles lenticular, 2.3 mm long by 2 mm wide by 0.6–0.9 mm thick, silvery-lead colored, with tunica.15–18 × 11–13
C. berkeleyanus
Lloyd
Widespread distribution in the tropics: West Indies, Florida, Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil, Hawaiian Islands6–8 × 4–6Exoperidium hairy in fresh specimens, but wears off in age, leaving surface smooth and plicate; inner surface variably plicate; peridioles dark brown, 1.5–3 mm in diameter; typically elliptical, with a thin tunica.6–9 × 4–7
Widespread distribution in the tropics: West Indies, Florida, Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil, Hawaiian Islands6–8 × 4–6Exoperidium hairy in fresh specimens, but wears off in age, leaving surface smooth and plicate; inner surface variably plicate; peridioles dark brown, 1.5–3 mm in diameter; typically elliptical, with a thin tunica.6–9 × 4–7
C. bulleri
H.J. Brodie
West Indies, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico5–9 × 5–8Exoperidium with fine tomentum and long, converging downward-pointing hairs, plicate in upper third; ectoperidal surface plicate, silvery; epiphragm white with vertical tufts of hyphae; peridioles 2–2.5 mm in diameter with thick tunica, silvery when fresh, dark-brown when old.5–8.5
spherical
West Indies, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico5–9 × 5–8Exoperidium with fine tomentum and long, converging downward-pointing hairs, plicate in upper third; ectoperidal surface plicate, silvery; epiphragm white with vertical tufts of hyphae; peridioles 2–2.5 mm in diameter with thick tunica, silvery when fresh, dark-brown when old.5–8.5
spherical
C. canna
Lloyd
Tropical locales: Jamaica, Costa Rica, Barbados, Mexico, Mauritius7–8 × 6–8Exoperidium dark brown, scabrous with short tomentum; endoperidial surface smooth, white; peridioles with thin tunica on upper side.7–9
roughly spherical
L. from Gr. canna Tropical locales: Jamaica, Costa Rica, Barbados, Mexico, Mauritius7–8 × 6–8Exoperidium dark brown, scabrous with short tomentum; endoperidial surface smooth, white; peridioles with thin tunica on upper side.7–9
roughly spherical
C. chevalieri
Har. & Pat.
OubanguiUp to 20 × 5–7Resembles C. striatus8 × 5
ovoid
OubanguiUp to 20 × 5–7Resembles C. striatus8 × 5
ovoid
C. colensoi
Berk.
New Zealand, Australia6–7 × 5–6Cups bell-shaped, smooth with fine hairs pressed down on exoperidium; peridioles approximately 2 mmSome ellipsoid, 10–12 × 8–10; some subglobose, 9–12
W. ColensoNew Zealand, Australia6–7 × 5–6Cups bell-shaped, smooth with fine hairs pressed down on exoperidium; peridioles approximately 2 mmSome ellipsoid, 10–12 × 8–10; some subglobose, 9–12
C. confusus
Tai & Hung
Yunnan 11–17 × 5–9Exterior surface light cinnamon colored, shaggy; interior surface light buff, smooth; tunica thick.7–10 × 5–6.4
elliptic or narrowly obovate
L. confusus Yunnan 11–17 × 5–9Exterior surface light cinnamon colored, shaggy; interior surface light buff, smooth; tunica thick.7–10 × 5–6.4
elliptic or narrowly obovate
C. cornucopiodes
T.X. Zhou & W. Ren
China
China
C. costatus
Lloyd
Puerto Rico2.5–3 mm diameterExoperidium covered with dark, strigose hairs, ribbed, plicate; peridioles small, black.16–× 5–
elliptical
L. costatus Puerto Rico2.5–3 mm diameterExoperidium covered with dark, strigose hairs, ribbed, plicate; peridioles small, black.16–× 5–
elliptical
C. crassimurus
H.J. Brodie
Hawaii5 × 6–7Golden colored, plicate, external hairs; radially wrinkled dark brown peridioles. Has a two-layered cortex and long narrow spores.17–20 × 11–12
ellipsoid, very thick-walled
L. crassus murus Hawaii5 × 6–7Golden colored, plicate, external hairs; radially wrinkled dark brown peridioles. Has a two-layered cortex and long narrow spores.17–20 × 11–12
ellipsoid, very thick-walled
C. crispus
H.J. Brodie
GhanaGolden-colored, plicate peridia covered on external surface with curls of hyphal hairs
GhanaGolden-colored, plicate peridia covered on external surface with curls of hyphal hairs
C. earlei
Lloyd
Tropical or subtropical: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Hawaii6–7 × 8Dark brown exterior, silvery interior surface; tomentum of short hairs; peridioles up to 2 mm wide, thin tunica on upper side12 × 10 to 22 × 12
F.S. EarleTropical or subtropical: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Hawaii6–7 × 8Dark brown exterior, silvery interior surface; tomentum of short hairs; peridioles up to 2 mm wide, thin tunica on upper side12 × 10 to 22 × 12
C. ellipsoideus
H.J. Brodie
Mysore IndiaPale colored and plicate; has peridioles and spores with an ellipsoidal outline.
Mysore IndiaPale colored and plicate; has peridioles and spores with an ellipsoidal outline.
C. elmeri
Bres.
Philippines7–10 × 7–9Peridioles ash-grey, powdery, 1.3–1.5 mm in diameter; thin tunica.18–22 × 10–12
ellipsoidal
A.D.E. ElmerPhilippines7–10 × 7–9Peridioles ash-grey, powdery, 1.3–1.5 mm in diameter; thin tunica.18–22 × 10–12
ellipsoidal
C. fimicola
Berk.
Puerto Rico, Mexico2–3 × 4–5Pale, with strigose matted hairs; peridioles small, black, 1.5 mm8 × 16
Puerto Rico, Mexico2–3 × 4–5Pale, with strigose matted hairs; peridioles small, black, 1.5 mm8 × 16
C. gayanus
Tul. & C. Tul.
Chile, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Venezuela153 × 5–6Narrow, conic, dark brown, inner surface striate, out surface ony faintly striate; peridioles black, 3 mm with thick outer wall.20–32
roughly spherical
C. GayChile, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Venezuela153 × 5–6Narrow, conic, dark brown, inner surface striate, out surface ony faintly striate; peridioles black, 3 mm with thick outer wall.20–32
roughly spherical
C. gracilis
H.J. Brodie
Luzon ; Brazil4–7 × 8–10Peridium slender, obconic, thin-walled ; outer surface umber- or rust-colored and covered with conical tufts of hairs, not plicate, inner surface same color as outer or lighter; epiphragm pale buff with brown hairs; peridioles 2 mm in diameter, circular.20 × 10
ellipsoidal
L. gracilis Luzon ; Brazil4–7 × 8–10Peridium slender, obconic, thin-walled ; outer surface umber- or rust-colored and covered with conical tufts of hairs, not plicate, inner surface same color as outer or lighter; epiphragm pale buff with brown hairs; peridioles 2 mm in diameter, circular.20 × 10
ellipsoidal
C. griseocarpus
H.J. Brodie
C. helenae
H.J. Brodie
Alpine and boreal, and dry areas of Idaho; Brazil15–19 × 12–14
Alpine and boreal, and dry areas of Idaho; Brazil15–19 × 12–14
C. hirtulus
B. Liu & Y.M. Li
18–25.5 × 7.5–9
18–25.5 × 7.5–9
C. hookeri
Berk.
India, New Zealand, Yunnan up to 14 × 10Bell-shaped
J. HookerIndia, New Zealand, Yunnan up to 14 × 10Bell-shaped
C. intermedius
Tul. & C. Tul.
West Indies, Florida, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Philippines8–9 × 7–8Pale fawn color, when young covered with tomentum organized in nodules; peridioles about 2 mm in diameter, with a thin tunica.10–× 16
elliptical
L. inter and medius West Indies, Florida, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Philippines8–9 × 7–8Pale fawn color, when young covered with tomentum organized in nodules; peridioles about 2 mm in diameter, with a thin tunica.10–× 16
elliptical
C. jiayuguanensis
J. Yu, T.X. Zhou & L.Z. Zhao
C. julietae
H.J. Brodie
Jamaica7–8 × 7–8Pale brown or yellow, obconic with straight sides, thin-walled; exoperidium not plicate, covered with very fine hairs; inside wall smooth, glossy; narrow basal emplacement; epiphragm pale brown or yellowish; peridioles black, elliptical, wrinkled on upper surface, 1.5–1.75 mm long; thin tunica, single-layered cortex.5–9 × 5–7
subglobose to ellipsoid, thin-walled.
L. from the name JulietJamaica7–8 × 7–8Pale brown or yellow, obconic with straight sides, thin-walled; exoperidium not plicate, covered with very fine hairs; inside wall smooth, glossy; narrow basal emplacement; epiphragm pale brown or yellowish; peridioles black, elliptical, wrinkled on upper surface, 1.5–1.75 mm long; thin tunica, single-layered cortex.5–9 × 5–7
subglobose to ellipsoid, thin-walled.
C. lanatus
R.L. Zhao
C. lijiangensis
T.X. Zhou & R.L. Zhao
China6–9 × 3–6Obconic or funnel-shaped, outer surface covered by greyish-white hairs and narrow tufts, plicate externally and internally, lip not setose; peridioles 1.5–2 × 1.5–1.8 mm, depressed, mostly round or ellipsoid.15.5–18.5 × 11–15
China6–9 × 3–6Obconic or funnel-shaped, outer surface covered by greyish-white hairs and narrow tufts, plicate externally and internally, lip not setose; peridioles 1.5–2 × 1.5–1.8 mm, depressed, mostly round or ellipsoid.15.5–18.5 × 11–15
C. limbatus
Tul. & C. Tul.
British Guiana, West Indies, China, India, Africa, South America, Hawaiian Islands, Pacific Islands7–10 × 6–7Dark brown color, inner and outer surfaces plicate; peridioles 2 mm wide or more, deep brown to black, shiny. Synonymous with C. cheliensis16–22 × 10–12
L. limbatus British Guiana, West Indies, China, India, Africa, South America, Hawaiian Islands, Pacific Islands7–10 × 6–7Dark brown color, inner and outer surfaces plicate; peridioles 2 mm wide or more, deep brown to black, shiny. Synonymous with C. cheliensis16–22 × 10–12
C. luxiensis
T.X. Zhou, J. Yu & Y. Hui Chen
China
China
C. microsporus
Tul. & C. Tul.
San Domingo, Cuba, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Hawaii, Florida5–7 × 6–8Obconic, exoperidium no plicate, at times hairy; endoperidium smooth or with faint ridges, but not plicate; peridioles black, about 2 mm5–6 × 4
Gr. mikros and spora San Domingo, Cuba, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Hawaii, Florida5–7 × 6–8Obconic, exoperidium no plicate, at times hairy; endoperidium smooth or with faint ridges, but not plicate; peridioles black, about 2 mm5–6 × 4
C. minimus
Pat.
China4–5 × 4Exoperidium covered with hairs pressed-down. Interior surface smooth. Peridioles approximately 1 mm, with a thin tunica. Single-layered cortex, 50 µm thick.18–20 × 10–12
L. minimus China4–5 × 4Exoperidium covered with hairs pressed-down. Interior surface smooth. Peridioles approximately 1 mm, with a thin tunica. Single-layered cortex, 50 µm thick.18–20 × 10–12
C. montagnei
Tul. & C. Tul.
Brazil, West Indies, Central America, Venezuela, Congo, Philippines, Thailand7–10 × 8dark brown, fading with age, outside hirsute, faintly plicate; inside walls widely plicate, silvery-colored Peridioles are black and shiny, with a thin tunica, cortex one-layered but may appear two-layered20 × 12
ellipsoid
for Jean P. Montagne, French mycologistBrazil, West Indies, Central America, Venezuela, Congo, Philippines, Thailand7–10 × 8dark brown, fading with age, outside hirsute, faintly plicate; inside walls widely plicate, silvery-colored Peridioles are black and shiny, with a thin tunica, cortex one-layered but may appear two-layered20 × 12
ellipsoid
C. nigroalbus
Lloyd
Samoa, Fiji
Samoa, Fiji
C. novae-zeelandiae
Tul. & C. Tul.
New Zealand
New Zealand
C. olivaceobrunneus
Tai & Hung
Yunnan 7–8 × 616–19 × 8.6–10
ellipitic, rounded at both ends
L. oliva and brunneus Yunnan 7–8 × 616–19 × 8.6–10
ellipitic, rounded at both ends
C. olla
Pers.
Common, widespread10–15 × 8–10Flared outwards towards the mouth; exoperidium grey, fine-textured; endoperidium smooth; peridioles large, up to 3.5 wide, irregularly shaped, with tunica.10–14 × 6–8
L. olla Common, widespread10–15 × 8–10Flared outwards towards the mouth; exoperidium grey, fine-textured; endoperidium smooth; peridioles large, up to 3.5 wide, irregularly shaped, with tunica.10–14 × 6–8
C. pallidus
Berk. & M.A. Curtis
West Indies, Mexico, South America, United States, Hawaiian Islands5–7 × 5–7Crucible shaped, pale buff-colored; thin and friable peridium walls; exoperidium covered with long down-ward-bent hairs; peridioles dark grey to black; 2 mm diameter; with a thin tunica.7.5–15 × 4–8.5
Mostly ellipsoid.
L. pallidus West Indies, Mexico, South America, United States, Hawaiian Islands5–7 × 5–7Crucible shaped, pale buff-colored; thin and friable peridium walls; exoperidium covered with long down-ward-bent hairs; peridioles dark grey to black; 2 mm diameter; with a thin tunica.7.5–15 × 4–8.5
Mostly ellipsoid.
C. pictus
H.J. Brodie
Mexico8–9 × 5Outer surface with fine hairs clumped into small mounds; cinnamon brown when dry, dark brown when moist; the mouth has a distinct red-brown band immediately below the rim; inside wall smooth, not plicate, lead-grey; emplacement large ; peridioles situated deep in cup, black, irregular shape, with depression on upper side; no tunica.26–32
globose
L. picted Mexico8–9 × 5Outer surface with fine hairs clumped into small mounds; cinnamon brown when dry, dark brown when moist; the mouth has a distinct red-brown band immediately below the rim; inside wall smooth, not plicate, lead-grey; emplacement large ; peridioles situated deep in cup, black, irregular shape, with depression on upper side; no tunica.26–32
globose
C. poeppigii
Tul. & C. Tul.
Warm countries: West Indies, South America, Hawaiian Islands, Asia, Africa, China, Florida6–8 × 6Narrowly obconic, felty or shaggy, reddish brown to dark brown, almost black in age; both inner and outer surface deeply fluted or plicate; peridioles black and shiny. Synonymous with C. megasporus30–42 × 20–28
elliptical
Poeppig, the collectorWarm countries: West Indies, South America, Hawaiian Islands, Asia, Africa, China, Florida6–8 × 6Narrowly obconic, felty or shaggy, reddish brown to dark brown, almost black in age; both inner and outer surface deeply fluted or plicate; peridioles black and shiny. Synonymous with C. megasporus30–42 × 20–28
elliptical
C. pullus
Tai & Hung
Yunnan China
Yunnan China
C. pygmaeus
Lloyd
United States: Washington State, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, California; Santiago 4–4.5 × 3.5–4Exoperidium greyish brown, smooth, with appressed hairs; peridioles about 1 mm, with thin tunica. Synonymous with C. gansuensis12–14 × 8–9
L. pygmaeus United States: Washington State, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, California; Santiago 4–4.5 × 3.5–4Exoperidium greyish brown, smooth, with appressed hairs; peridioles about 1 mm, with thin tunica. Synonymous with C. gansuensis12–14 × 8–9
C. renweii
T.X. Zhou & R.L. Zhao
China8–10 × 5–6Obconic or cup-shaped; outer surface brownish, with yellowish to pinkish hairs and narrow tufts, strongly plicate; peridioles 2 mm diameter21–31 × 10.5–13.5
ellipsoid to elongate-ellipsoid
China8–10 × 5–6Obconic or cup-shaped; outer surface brownish, with yellowish to pinkish hairs and narrow tufts, strongly plicate; peridioles 2 mm diameter21–31 × 10.5–13.5
ellipsoid to elongate-ellipsoid
C. rudis
Pat.
New Caledonia, Amboina5–10 × 5–8Conic; striate on inner surface, with reddish squamules on outer surface; interior surface silvery-white; peridioles black-brown with thin tunica, 1 mm wide9–12 × 5
elliptical
New Caledonia, Amboina5–10 × 5–8Conic; striate on inner surface, with reddish squamules on outer surface; interior surface silvery-white; peridioles black-brown with thin tunica, 1 mm wide9–12 × 5
elliptical
C. setosus
H.J. Brodie
St Lucia, Trinidad, Guadelope, Jamaica, Mexico, Bolivia8–10 × 7–8Mouth of cup has stiff, dark setae 0.5–1 mm long; outside surface with fine appressed hairs and some longer tangled hairs; inside surface barely plicate, silvery; basal emplacement narrow ; epiphragm thin, white to pale buff; peridioles angular, black, shiny, 2.5 or more wide.17–24 × 10–14
L. setosus St Lucia, Trinidad, Guadelope, Jamaica, Mexico, Bolivia8–10 × 7–8Mouth of cup has stiff, dark setae 0.5–1 mm long; outside surface with fine appressed hairs and some longer tangled hairs; inside surface barely plicate, silvery; basal emplacement narrow ; epiphragm thin, white to pale buff; peridioles angular, black, shiny, 2.5 or more wide.17–24 × 10–14
C. sinensis
Imazeki
Kyushu Islands 5–6 × 2.5–5Peridium with obconic shape, woolly exoperidial surface, cinnamon-brown color; inner surface smooth, lead-white; peridioles grey, 1.3 mm wide, 0.5 mm thick.12.5–18.5 × 8.3–10.3
ellipsoid
L.sinensis Kyushu Islands 5–6 × 2.5–5Peridium with obconic shape, woolly exoperidial surface, cinnamon-brown color; inner surface smooth, lead-white; peridioles grey, 1.3 mm wide, 0.5 mm thick.12.5–18.5 × 8.3–10.3
ellipsoid
C. stercoreus
De Toni
Worldwide
L. "stercorarius Worldwide
C. striatus
Willd.
Widespread in temperate regions; Europe, America, India, Japan, China, Mexico18–20 × 8–10
Widespread in temperate regions; Europe, America, India, Japan, China, Mexico18–20 × 8–10
C. subglobisporus
R.L. Zhao, Desjardin & K.D. Hyde
Northern ThailandIvory-coloured fruiting bodies covered with shaggy hairs, plications on the inner surface of the peridium and subglobose basidiospores.
Northern ThailandIvory-coloured fruiting bodies covered with shaggy hairs, plications on the inner surface of the peridium and subglobose basidiospores.
C. triplex
Lloyd
West Indies, Florida, Venezuela, Hawaii, Philippines, Thailand5–6 × 5Outer surface smooth, covered with scabrous hairs, inner surface smooth, silvery white; peridioles 2 mm with very thin tunica.16–22 × 12–14
ellipsoid
L. triplex West Indies, Florida, Venezuela, Hawaii, Philippines, Thailand5–6 × 5Outer surface smooth, covered with scabrous hairs, inner surface smooth, silvery white; peridioles 2 mm with very thin tunica.16–22 × 12–14
ellipsoid
C. yunnanensis''
B. Liu & Y.M. Li
China14.5–22.5 × 10.5–18
China14.5–22.5 × 10.5–18