Daisy Earthstar - Geastrum floriforme

Description

A small earthstar that is hygroscopic (curls up in dry weather).  The surface of the spore-ball is smooth and without a stem.  The pore opening is furrowed but not within a well-delimited zone.   

Similar Species

Other Geastrum have a stem under the spore-ball, and/or a fringed pore opening and/or pore opening in a well-defined zone.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Photograph in habitat, and in detail to show spore ball from side and top down.  Note habitat and substrate.  Identification of this rare species can be difficult and we recommend that a specimen is examined by an expert before submission to NatureSpot.

Habitat

Sandy open areas under conifers or deciduous trees. 

When to see it

All year round

UK Status

Rare in Britain.  VC55 expert Richard Iliffe sent the Sapcote specimen to Kew for verification. The specimen has been retained at Kew in their herbarium as one of only about 30 British records.

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
Daisy Earthstar
Species group:
Fungi
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Geastrales
Family:
Geastraceae
Records on NatureSpot:
1
First record:
05/02/2010 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
05/02/2010 (Calow, Graham)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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