About this fungus
Arched Earthstar is a fungus in the Geastraceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.
A distinctive earthstar raised above the ground on several arched rays, with their tips still attached to a separate basal cup.
What to check
Confirm that the rays arch like legs and remain joined to the old outer layer beneath, lifting a stalked spore sac above the litter. The mouth is fibrous rather than deeply grooved. There are no gills, ring or volva.
Variation
Young fruit bodies begin as partly buried brown balls. Old expanded earthstars become dry and papery but can retain the raised structure for months.
Lookalikes
Geastrum quadrifidum is smaller and has a more clearly delimited mouth disc. Other earthstars spread their rays flat or reflex them without retaining the elevated basal-cup structure.
Habitat and range
Saprotrophic in deep litter and humus beneath conifers, yew and occasionally broadleaved trees. It is local and uncommon across parts of Europe, Asia and North America.
Food safety
Inedible.