THE NIDULARIACE 



521 



Nidularia. Tul. 



The peridium is uniform, consisting of a single membrane ; globose, at first 

 closed, finally ruptured or opening with a circular mouth. 



The sporangia are quite small and numerous, not attached by a funiculus to 

 the peridium, enveloped in mucus. 



Figure 445. -Nidularia pisiformis. 



Nidularia pisiformis. Tul. 

 Pea-Shaped Nidularia. 



Photo by C. G. Lloyd. 



Pisiformis is from two Latin words meaning pea and form. 



The plant is gregarious, nearly round, sessile, rootless, hairy, brown or 

 brownish, splitting irregularly. 



The sporangia are subrotund or discoidal in form, dark brown, smooth, shining. 



The spores are colorless, round or elliptical or pear-shaped, produced on 

 sterigmata, 7-8x8-9/*. Sometimes found on the ground and on leaves, but their 

 favorite home is an old log. Found from July to September. 



