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| 1 | 2 |  » Stats |
Members: 50,143
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Top Poster: glsammy (15,069)
| | Welcome to our newest member, PeterHA17 | |  | | 
12-01-2011, 01:16 PM
|  | Active Member | | Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ealing, London via Cornwall
Posts: 87
| |  Earth star
I was just going over to get the post at work and had a quick look
at an empty flower bed i normally pass. Found my first earth star! Two of them actually, on wood chip under a yew tree. Basic stuff i realise but very pleased - they were beautiful!   |
12-01-2011, 05:53 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2009 Location: Derby
Posts: 964
| | | Re: Earth star
Hi
Great find
I think it is Geastrum striatum
I still get excited when I find an Earth Star and I expect I always will
Peter
__________________
The key to understanding fungi is careful observation of macroscopic and microscopic features |
12-01-2011, 05:53 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Yateley, Hampshire
Posts: 3,231
| | | Re: Earth star
Personally I would definitely rule out 'Collared' and 'Sessile' and plug for Geastrum striatum - 'Striate', but stand to be corrected, particularly if you have a search of Earthstars' in the WAB Gallery and form your own views in association with additional research else where now that you have a rough steer!
hth
David |
12-01-2011, 05:54 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Yateley, Hampshire
Posts: 3,231
| | | Re: Earth star
"Snap!", Peter   |
12-01-2011, 08:58 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2009 Location: Derby
Posts: 964
| | | Re: Earth star
Yes; I am quite confident with G.striatum. I have found this species on a number of occasions, the other one similar is G.pectinatum but this does not have the basal collar to the spore-sac which can clearly be seen in the photo.
In the book 'British Puffballs, Earthballs & Stinkhorns' the diagnostic features of G.striatum are: “Peristome plicate; rays not hygroscopic; spore-sac with basal collar, stalked, surface finely striate” Although I have found this last feature not always easily to see!
Peter
__________________
The key to understanding fungi is careful observation of macroscopic and microscopic features |
13-01-2011, 12:37 PM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ealing, London via Cornwall
Posts: 87
| | | Re: Earth star
Hi all - thanks so much for your comments.
Yes, Geastrum striatum looks like its fits the bill! I went to check on the two little stars a few minutes ago and took another pic. 
To my surprise, i found about a dozen more earth stars  
I think these must be a different species - no visible stalk for one but i've definitely got stars in my eyes at the moment! |
14-01-2011, 09:17 PM
|  | New Member | | Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2
| | | Re: Earth star
Your additional Earthstars are actually a really good find and uncommon to rare in the UK. They are very close to Geastrum floriforme or Daisy Earthstar one of a small group which are characterised by their small size and hygroscopic arms which curl up over the spore sac in dry weather but open out in wet conditions. There is a similar species Geastrum coronillum or Weather Earthstar but this has a halo around the mouth and they tend to be more grey in colour. Great stuff; if you're in (or near) East Anglia then I'd like to formally log the record. |
14-01-2011, 10:18 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 2,982
| | | Re: Earth star
From experience, look for Morels a little later. But don't tell anyone.
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Genio Terræ Britannicæ |
15-01-2011, 02:40 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2009 Location: Derby
Posts: 964
| | | Re: Earth star
Hi
and if you are in the Midlands I would also be interested
Peter
__________________
The key to understanding fungi is careful observation of macroscopic and microscopic features |
15-01-2011, 05:15 PM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ealing, London via Cornwall
Posts: 87
| | | Re: Earth star
Wow - thats fantastic! I wasn't even sure if i would get any more responce on this thread as i'd posted the new pics with the old ones. They were found at my place of work - Osterley Park - a National Trust property in Isleworth, Middlesex. I am, or can be, here daily so if anybody wants to come and record them, i'd be delighted to show them to you. Best wishes all. | | | |
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