Geastrum saccatum Geastrum saccatum

Earthstars

        Earthstars are similar in appearance to the very familiar group of fungi known as puffballs. Indeed, the two groups differ in only one important respect. When they are young, earthstars look just like puffballs, but as the fruiting body matures, the outer wall splits and curves back to form the distinctive star like rays, and at the same time exposing a spore sac with an opening at the top. Earthstars are decomposers of litter and humus.



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