Astraeus hygrometricus
2 Barometer Earthstar at Page, ACT
Identify this sighting
| Astraeus hygrometricus | Heino1 | 12 Aug 2020 | |
| Geastrum sp. (genus) | CattleDog | 10 Aug 2020 |
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User's notes
Found among woody mulch alongside road gutter
3 comments
12 Aug 2020
This fungus was once placed in Geastrum. In dry weather the arms fold back over the spore sac. In the northern hemisphere this species forms symbiotic associations with various trees. Do you know if there are any exotic trees nearby (e.g. elm, oak, pine, birch)?
17 Aug 2020
Thanks Heino1, the garden nearby them is planted out with exotics, including with a few topiary conifers (Cupressus I think) but none of the trees you mention. Within ~50m the trees in the street are mainly tea trees, Photinia and eucalypts. If it might be relevant, the mulch and wood debris in which the fungus was found looks as though it may have been brought in from elsewhere.
Location information
- Coordinates 149.049300-35.236100
- Altitude 617.0m
- Places Page, ACT
Sighting information
- 4 - 15 Abundance
- 9 Aug 2020 11:02 AM Recorded on
- CattleDog Recorded by
Collections
- CattleDog Canberra & Southern Tablelands NatureMapr Astraeus hygrometricus Spore sac on a star-like base [earthstars] Puffballs & the like Fungi
Species information
- Astraeus hygrometricus Scientific name
- Barometer Earthstar Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Cosmopolitan
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 685m Recorded at altitude