Earth Star sp. ID please

[Cordaline]

These Earth Star's were found at Hounslow Heath today, growing under Hawthorn & Oak.

Adam thinks Geastrum triplex
I think Geastrum fimbriatum.

Either of the above or something else?

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by Cordaline

These Earth Star's were found at Hounslow Heath today, growing under Hawthorn & Oak.

Adam thinks Geastrum triplex
I think Geastrum fimbriatum.

Either of the above or something else?

I think you are correct

Chris

[cybershot]

And I'd go with Adam, ceratinly on the first specimen, but some dimensions would help.

Triplex are larger and more robust and these seem to be displaying the right characterisics:

Geastrum triplex - Collared Eathstar

David

[Lancashire Lad]

I'd be in agreement with David on these. To me, they look like young Collared Earthstars, whose rays have not yet fully split across to show the "collar".

G.fimbriatum is smaller than G.triplex, sometimes has a pale disc (rather than a ring) area below the apical hole, and the triangular "rays" tend to recurve back without splitting across.

G.triplex grows larger and has a pale slightly depressed ring (rather than a disc) around the apical hole, which is usually more pronounced (slightly raised mouth), at the top of the spore sac. The triangular rays tend to split across, leaving the "collar" of the Commmon Name.

Regards,
Mike.

[Cordaline]

I trawled images on a certain search engine before making my choice.

[Chris Yeates]

I too have come round to David's opinion on looking at them again - and working out the approximate size from those chickweed leaves

Chris

[mollisia]

Hello,

beside the thickness of the peridia there is one major difference between triplex and fimbriatum: In G. triplex the peristom is surrounded by a smooth area, in G. fimbriatum such a zone is missing. Also the peristom is clearly differenciated in triplex (like a vulcano), but merely a undiffenciated openiong in G. fimbriatum.

So, definitely G. triplex ...

best regards,
Andreas

[Cordaline]

Thanks folks.
Just thought I'd test ya'll!
No seriously, TUVM!