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.
by Ron Meyers