Cyathus is a genus of bird's nest fungi in the family Nidulariaceae, so named since they resemble tiny bird's nests filled with eggs. The "eggs", or peridioles, are attached to the inner surface of the fruiting body by a cord of mycelium. Both surfaces of the cup may be ridged longitudinally, a taxonomic characteristic that has traditionally served to distinguish between species. Cyathus species are widely distributed across the globe, and some are found in most countries, although a few are localized. C. stercoreus is considered endangered in a number of European countries. Generally considered inedible, Cyathus species are saprobic, obtaining nutrients from decomposing organic matter. They usually grow on decaying woody material, on cow and horse dung, or directly on humus-rich soil. The life cycle of this genus allows them to reproduce both sexually via meiosis, and asexually via spores. Phylogenetic analysis has provided insights into the relationships between the various species. (Full article...).
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyathus
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1632:
The Plymouth Company granted a land patent to Thomas Purchase, who became the first permanent European settler of Pejepscot, Maine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pejepscot,_Maine
1936:
A Junkers Ju 52 aircraft of Norwegian Air Lines crashed into a mountainside near Hyllestad, Norway, killing all seven people on board. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hav%C3%B8rn_Accident
1963:
Aboard Vostok 6, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentina_Tereshkova
2016:
Jo Cox, a British Member of Parliament, was murdered in her constituency. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Jo_Cox
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
wring: 1. (transitive) 2. Often followed by out: to squeeze or twist (something moist) tightly so that liquid is forced out. 3. To squeeze water from (an item of wet clothing) by passing through a wringer. 4. (also figuratively) Often followed by from or out: to extract (a liquid) from something wet by squeezing, twisting, or otherwise putting pressure on it. 5. To hold (someone or something) tightly and press or twist; to wrest. 6. To clasp and twist (hands) together due to distress, sorrow, etc. 7. To bend or strain (something) out of its position; to wrench, to wrest. 8. To contort or screw up (the face or its features). 9. To twist or wind (something) into coils; to coil. 10. Of a thing (such as footwear): to pinch or press (a person or part of their body), causing pain. 11. (archaic or Britain, dialectal, also figuratively) To cause (someone or something) physical harm, injury, or pain; specifically, by applying pressure or by twisting; to harm, to hurt, to injure. 12. (figuratively) 13. To cause (tears) to come out from a person or their eyes. 14. To cause distress or pain to (a person or their heart, soul, etc.); to distress, to torment. 15. To obtain (something) from or out of a person or thing by extortion or other force. 16. To use effort to draw (a response, words, etc.) from or out of someone; to generate (something) as a response. 17. (obsolete) To afflict or oppress (someone) to enforce compliance; to extort. 18. (obsolete) To cause (someone) to do something or to think a certain way. 19. (obsolete) To change (something) into another thing. 20. (obsolete) To give (teachings, words, etc.) an incorrect meaning; to twist, to wrest. 21. (obsolete, reflexive) To put (oneself) in a position by cunning or subtle means; to insinuate. 22. (materials science) To slide (two ultraflat surfaces) together such that their faces bond. 23. (intransitive) 24. To be engaged in clasping and twisting (especially the hands), or exerting pressure. 25. To twist the body in or as if in pain; to writhe. 26. (figuratively) 27. To contend, to struggle; also, to strive, to toil. 28. To experience distress, pain, punishment, etc. 29. (mining) Of a lode: to be depleted of ore; to peter or peter out. 30. (obsolete) To make a way out with difficulty. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wring
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity, but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities, but of their advantages. Nobody but a beggar chooses to depend chiefly upon the benevolence of his fellow-citizens. Even a beggar does not depend upon it entirely. --Adam Smith https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Adam_Smith