Dung Cannon - Pilobolus crystallinus
This dung fungus depends on passage through the gut of a grazing herbivore to complete its life cycle. The long hyaline stalks or sporangiophores are terminated by sporangia, which contain the spores. Initally yellow and then black, each sporangium has a swollen balloon-like structure beneath it which assists in spore dispersal. Presssure builds up and the sporangia are ejected with considerable force from the sporangiophore, adhering on grass and other palatable vegetation. As grazing animals don't feed near their dung, the explosive force of the dispersal mechanism ensures that the sporangia land far enough away to be eaten - and so the life cycle is completed.
other species of Pilobolus - several are recorded in the UK. See this article for more information
microscopy 
Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, note the habitat and substrate.
Found on the dung of grazing herbivores
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Species profile
- Common names
- Dung Cannon
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- fungus
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