Geastrum saccatum

The most prevalent earthstar in eastern Kansas is Geastrum saccatum. It fruits under hardwoods from spring through fall. Young fruiting bodies buried under leaf litter resemble small, pointed puffballs as seen in this picture. While the spores may be dispersed, the rays are persistent and can be found after the mushroom is well aged.

Identifying characteristics are the rays that curl back in a starlike manner, and the sunken inner spore case with an apical pore that is delimited by a circular groove.

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