These fungi, Earth Stars, are of the genus Geastrum. They popped up in our garden this week. It's a fine time of year for fungi at the moment. We've counted ten or so different species within a few square metres of our front door.
The star-like structure at the base of the fruiting body originally covered the ball, but then splits open. It's a type of puffball. The ball holds the spores, and when disturbed, puffs out a mist of spores through the central pore.
I've not been posting much--or at all!--lately, because I've been hugely busy with work, study and familish stuff. Uni is going really well. I'm just loving biology to pieces. I feel like I've come home.
5 comments:
We have the same type of fungi here in the states. The ones, that I've seen have been growing in sandy soils.
wow!!! what a wonderful creature this one is! completely new to me...although everything is new in this world of ypurs to me
myla
Hi Maggie,
I may be moving back to Sydney soon. Will let you know.
Good to see you, Martien, and Maxine are enjoying yourselves.
-- steck
At last, the perfect plant for my native lawn!
At last, the perfect plant for my native lawn!
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