Earthstar - Geastrum saccatum

This is a bucket list fungus for me! I have been looking for them for years, but never found any...until today! I was walking around the neighborhood with my kids, saw a cluster of these mushrooms growing in some mulch, and then ran home to get my camera.

Habitat: Growing in mulch in a roadside garden bed with deciduous and coniferous trees.

comments (4)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Congrats! Posted 3 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! It's silly to get excited about an earthstar because they are apparently "so common". But, I don't care! I was so excited! Posted 3 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    A "lifer" is a perfectly fine reason to get excited! Posted 3 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      My thought as well :) Posted 3 years ago

The Rounded earthstar

''Geastrum saccatum'', commonly known as the rounded earthstar, is a species of mushroom belonging in the Geastrum genus. It is found in North America and Europe and is found growing on rotting wood. It is considered inedible by mushroomers because of its bitter taste. It is a common mushroom, but collections are at their peak during late summer.

Info 14 0

Similar species: Geastrales

Species identified by Christine Young