Geastrum triplex - Collared Eathstar

[fairplay]

Hi David,

Do you mean Amazon failed to deliver ?
In which case then I would apply to Kew direct.

I noticed something very important when I went back through this thread - I found 'Monster Earthstars' highlighted and when I clicked on it, that took me back to an even earlier thread where I came across 'Earthstar Explosion' highlighted, so out of curiosity I clicked this and up came this fantastic shot of an unidentified Earthstar which can only be the very rare Pepper Pot fungus, Myriostoma coliforme

This fantastic fungus seems to have slipped passed all WAB users and most likely experts as well, including the photographer, as it is only described as an Earthstar.

There is only one comment which simply praises the photograph.

This rare fungus was long thought to have been extinct in mainland Britain where it had not been 'seen' for 126 years - until that is, it was re-discovered here in Suffolk in February 2006.

The exact location is a closely guarded secret but at the time I wrote an article on this find suggesting it has always been appearing sporadically at this location and sure enough, the owner of the land contacted me to say my suggestion was correct and that he just did not realise what they were.

I hope the photographer of this important photo can be traced so that it can deservedly be given full recognition.

Neil.

[cybershot]

A little research on PBase shows the photographer to be Chris McMahon who was living in Madrid at the time, but it didn't indicate where his fantastic photo of an erupting Pepper Pot fungus was taken. Let's hope he finds his way to WAB.
David

[fairplay]

FungiJohn,

Is it possible to change the status of Earthstar on this forum to 'An Earthstar', because if a newcomer clicks on it, up pops G. floriforme - quite a scarce one, and this could lead a whole generation into believing this is The Earthstar or the main one at least.

In fact, in British Puffballs by Pegler, Laessoe & Spooner it is given the common name of Daisy Earthstar.

(Well done on getting the I.D. of G. striatum correct in another thread by the way - I made a right hash of that.)

Neil.

[cybershot]

Originally Posted by fairplay

FungiJohn,

Is it possible to change the status of Earthstar on this forum to 'An Earthstar', because if a newcomer clicks on it, up pops G. floriforme - quite a scarce one, and this could lead a whole generation into believing this is The Earthstar or the main one at least.

In fact, in British Puffballs by Pegler, Laessoe & Spooner it is given the common name of Daisy Earthstar.

(Well done on getting the I.D. of G. striatum correct in another thread by the way - I made a right hash of that.)

Neil.

It's as good a fanciful common name as any Neil, and I have edited the entry in the A to Z which creates these links though I think StuartDH may have to intervene before it becomes operable (just testing: Geastrum floriforme - Daisy Earthstar). I also noticed that the entry for Geastrum pectinatum had also been given the common name 'Earthstar' so to avoid a similar set of circumstances I have edited that too. Btw you are as eligible as any other member to make these amendments to the A to Z where you deem it necessary to correct any inaccurate information therein.

David

P.S. Edited to say that the link still diverts to the now edited entry for G. floriforme so methinks Stuart will have to action a new link.

[fairplay]

Cheers David,

I feel 'proficient' as regards fungi, but as for working with computers and manipulating things I'm total c**p !!

Neil.