Geastrum fimbriatum	Prev	|	Index	|	Next

12 October 2006 Buckinghamshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin

Species

Geastrum fimbriatum

Common Name

Sessile Earthstar

Fruiting Body

Initially sub-spherical to egg shaped, the outer skin splits at the apex and folds back into 5 to 9 arms, to reveal a ball shaped sack containing the spores which it releases through an apical opening, or peristome, in the thin outer skin. The arms often fold back underneath the fungus sometimes lifting up the spore sack. The peristome has a distinctly ragged or fringed edge. The fungus grows to about 6 cm across.

Flesh

Whitish

Smell

Indistinct

Taste

Indistinct

Season

Autumn

Distribution

Infrequent

Habitat

On humus rich soil in deciduous and coniferous woods, especially near stumps

Spore Print

Yellow brown

Microscopic Features

Spores spherical, finely warty (3-4) µm across

Edibility

Inedible

Notes

The fungus is named for its fimbriate peristome i.e. the fringed opening in the spore sack.

Additional Photographs

12 October 2006 Buckinghamshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin

29 September 2006 Buckinghamshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin