Geastrum schmidelii - Dwarf Earthstar

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Geastrales

Not the tidiest of the earthstars but one of the smallest, the Dwarf Earthstar is found in mature sand dune systems where broken sea shells raise the alkalinity of the sandy soil. Very occasionally you may also come across this species on chalk-rich sandy soil well away from the coast.

Like other earthstars, Geastrum schmidelii is a gregarious little fungus and usually occurs in colonies, sometimes with several dozen fruitbodies crowded together.

Identification Guide

Description	5 to 8 brownish rays split about halfway to the centre.
Dimensions	Outer dia. 1.5 to 3.5cm; spore sac 0.5 to 1cm across.
Spores	Chocolate-brown.
Odour/taste	Not significant.
Habitat	Mainly found in alkaline sand dune slacks.
Season	Fruiting in the autumn; long lasting, and sometimes remaining intact through the winter months.
Occurrence	Uncommon and in Britain mainly restricted to England and Wales.
Similar species	Several other Geastrum species are of the same general form, and confident identification requires experience. Geastrum minimum is similar in size and form and it also occurs in sand dune systems. Known as the Tiny Earthstar, it is very rare and has beenreported only from a couple of locations on the Norfolk Coast.