Appearance
The fruit bodies (peridia) of species in Nidula are typically between 3–8 mm in diameter, 5–15 mm tall, and cup- or urn-shaped—having almost vertical sides with the lip flared outwards. Depending on the species, the color may range from white, grey, buff, or tawny. The peridia are covered on the external surface with closely matted, shaggy hairs, technically called a tomentum. Immature peridia have a membrane covering the mouth (an epiphragm), which later ruptures into 4–7 lobes when mature. The "eggs", or peridioles, are numerous, grey-brown or reddish-brown in color, and embedded in a gelatinous matrix when young and fresh. In contrast to other genera of the Nidulariaceae, such as Cyathus or Crucibulum, the peridioles of the Nidula are not attached to the peridia by a cord of mycelia known as a funiculus. Spores are ovoid to elliptical in shape, thick-walled, light brown, and have dimensions of 8–10 by 4–6 µm.References:
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