Thursday, 09 February 2012

Beaked Earthstar

Facts
Common Name: 
Beaked Earthstar
Scientific Name: 
Geastrum pectinatum
Typical Size (mm): 
30-85mm opened
Information
Description: 

This fungus has a whitish, star-shaped base, which raises the pointed "bulb" that sits atop it above the surrounding substrate. Found growing either solitary or in small troops on rich soil.

Distribution: 

Rare from late Summer till Autumn.

Habitat: 

In broadleaf woodland on rich soil.

Cap: 

The fruiting body's outer peridium is brown, bulb-shaped, coarsely granular, sessile, splitting at maturity into 6-12 pointed star-like rays. The inner peridium is yelbluish-grey and corm-shaped on a short stem. The spore mass (gleba) is initially pallid and firm then brown and powdery.

Flesh: 

Odour and taste not distinctive.