Fauna
Fungus

Earthstar

Geastrum saccatum

Also known as Sessile Earthstar, Rounded Earthstar, Star of the Land

Sessile earthstars emerge from soil as buff-colored globes before their outer skin splits into pointed rays that peel back like flower petals. Accumulating calcium oxalate crystals drives this dramatic opening, exposing a delicate spore sac crowned by a distinct circular ridge surrounding its central orifice. Raindrops striking the flexible sac pump clouds of microscopic spores into passing air currents to colonize decaying leaf litter.

FungusSpore ShooterWoodland
Earthstar reference1 / 7
(c) JJ Harrison, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyDecaying leaf litter, Dead wood, Organic soil matter
Predators
  • Insects
  • Slugs
  • Small rodents
ThreatsDeforestation and habitat disruption
HabitatsDeciduous and coniferous forests, leaf litter, decaying wood
Life spanFruiting bodies persist several weeks to months
Classification
  1. OrderGeastrales
  2. FamilyGeastraceae
  3. GenusGeastrum
  4. SpeciesGeastrum saccatum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Many wild fungi have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Puff Spores: Gently tap the flexible central sac with a twig to observe spore clouds dispersing.
  • Inspect the Pore: Examine the central ringed depression to confirm key identification details.
  • Check Leaf Litter: Look along damp woodland floors beneath hardwood canopy during autumn.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…