Geastrum triplex

Collared Earthstar
(Common Earthstar)

Description
Fruit-body closed onion-shaped, Ø 3-5 cm, splitting into 4-8 pointed, fleshy rays, usually with an upturned collar around the parchment-like sphere, with a central opening, which comes loose from the inner surface of the rays, measuring Ø 5-15 cm. Lower surface of the rays smooth, cracked, brown to yellow-brown. Inner surface and collar matt, buff to yellow-brown. Sphere Ø 15-35 mm, stem absent, with pale areola around the ciliate opening, light grey-brown.

Occurrence
On the ground in broad-leaved and coniferous woods, avenues, parks, dune scrub, dune pastures, churchyards and piles of rubble.
Saprophyte.

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