Geastrum minimum, the tiny earthstar, is an inedible species of mushroom belonging to the genus Geastrum. Although rare, it is widespread in Europe, where it occurs in a range of habitats.[3] It is a priority species in the UK, where it has been found in the sand dunes at Holkham National Nature Reserve.[4][5]
Fruit bodies are initially roughly spherical before the outer peridium splits to form a star with 6–11 "rays". When opened, the diameter of the fruit body is 1–3 centimetres (1⁄2–1+1⁄4 in). The inner spore sac is spherical or egg-shaped, and measures 0.5–1 cm (1⁄4–1⁄2 in). The more-or-less round spores measure 5–5.5–4–4.5 μm and have warts on their surface.[6]
References
^von Schweinitz; Lewis David (1822). "Synopsis fungorum Carolinae superioris". Schriften der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Leipzig (in German). 1: 20–131 (see p. 58).
^Laessoe, T; Pegler, D N; Spooner, B (1995). British Puffballs, Earthstars and Stinkhorns: An Account of the British Gasteroid Fungi. Kew, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens. p. 100. ISBN0-947643-81-8.
^Ellis, J B; Ellis, M B (1990). Fungi without Gills (Hymenomycetes and Gasteromycetes): An Identification Handbook. London, UK: Chapman and Hall. p. 229. ISBN0-412-36970-2.
