Beaked Earthstar - Geastrum pectinatum

Description

A medium-sized earthstar with a smooth or mealy spore ball.  The spore-ball is raised up on a stem, which is more evident in dried or weathered specimens.  The spore-ball lacks a basal collar although a collar like structure may be present at the bottom of the stem. The pore-opening is beaked and is relatively long and grooved, and is not within a clearly delimited zone.

Similar Species

Geastrum striatum (the Striated Earthstar) has a basal collar under the spore sac.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Photograph in habitat, and detailed images from top down, in side view and the beak.  Note habitat and substrate.

Habitat

Usually under conifers, including Yew and Juniper

VC55 Status

Rare

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Beaked Earthstar
Species group:
fungus
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Geastrales
Family:
Geastraceae
Records on NatureSpot:
1
First record:
02/11/2024 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
02/11/2024 (Nicholls, David)

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