Geastrum quadrifidum    Pers.:Pers. 

common name(s) : Rayed Earthstar 

New classification: Basidiomycota/Agaricomycotina/Agaricomycetes/Phallomycetidae/Geastrales/Geastraceae  
Former classification: Basidiomycota/Homobasidiomycetes/Gasteromycetideae/Lycoperdales/Gaestraceae  

synonyms: Geastrum coronatum ss.auct. 
(unconfirmed synonyms: Geaster quadrifidus)  

edibility : inedible

potential confusions with Geastrum quadrifidum toxicity of Geastrum quadrifidum genus Geastrum  

The fruiting body is star-shaped with 4 rays, strongly curving back making it look like a nest, and at its centre, a spore sac placed on top of a short but clearly marked stalk, and an areola surrounding its aperture, with whitish to beige-brown rays, the spore sac being steel grey, with a very short stem.

The fertile surface is internal: the spores are released as dust when mature. The spore print is dark brown.

It grows on the ground, in coniferous woods, with spruce.

The fruiting period takes place from July to December.
Dimensions: width of fruiting body approximately 3 cm (between 0.5 and 4 cm)
  total height approximately 1.5 cm (between 0.5 and 2.5 cm)

Distinctive features : sorry, no English description yet

Geastrum quadrifidum is still unreported so far in the forest of Rambouillet, and is quite rare, more generally speaking .



page updated on 14/01/18