Geastrum triplex
Ruffs earthstar ( Geastrum triplex )
The ruffs earthstar ( Geastrum triplex ) is a species of fungus in the family Erdsternverwandten. It prefers limestone soils in deciduous forests, is widely used in Europe, but rare. The ruffs earthstar is inedible.
- 3.1 Literature
- 3.2 Notes and references
Features
Macroscopic characteristics
The closed bulb has a diameter of 3-5 cm, fully open from the tips of the ears a diameter of 5-10 cm. The spores bag has a diameter of 2.5-4 cm. The outer covering ( peridium ) of bulbous, grobschuppigen, sessile fruiting body tears to maturity in four to eight pointed lobes, the bend back far and release the sessile, creamy white, roughly spherical spore sac that sits on a fleshy collar. Its outer skin is paper thin, at its upper end sits the pore that releases the spores and is surrounded by a ring-shaped, pale field. The spore mass is initially fixed and pale, later it is powdery and dark brown.
Microscopic characteristics
The spores are round, warty and 3.5-4 microns wide. The basidia are 2 - to 4 - sporig, the sterigmata up to 20 microns long, Zystiden missing.
Ecology and phenology
The ruffs earthstar is scattered through hardwood forests, sometimes individually, usually in small groups on the ground or in the foliage. He settled limestone soils in open spaces.
Fruit body can be found from summer to autumn.