Dwarf Earthstar

Dwarf Earthstar Geastrum schmidelli Vittad. syn. G. nanum Pers. (illustrated life size) Fruit body opening to 2–3cm across, splitting into 5–8 pointed rays covered in a fleshy layer which cracks and flakes off. Spore sac on a short stalk, opening by a central pore above a sharply pointed, brown, beak-like mouth; pallid to greyish. Spores 3.5–4¼ in diameter, globose, warted. Spore mass dark brown. Habitat in rich soil in deciduous woods; autumn. Uncommon. Not edible.