What Are These Things? Plant Or Animal, Benign Or Malign?

Question

Found these in with my beans. They are about 2-3 mm in diameter and spiky. This is in Houston, TX (-90°W, 30°N), it is about 85°F, 60% humidity for the past week.

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Answer 1

Those are Bird's Nest fungi! That is a beneficial soil friend. They break down organic matter, very quickly, releasing it to your plants.

Here is an article that will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/fungus-lichen/birds-nest-fungus.htm