Geastrum sp. (genus)
An earthstar at Yaouk, ACT
Identify this sighting
| Geastrum sp. (genus) | Teresa | Yesterday | |
| Geastrum sp. (genus) | Mike | 20 Oct 2026 |
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1 comment
Yesterday
This is a species of Disciseda. For some reason Disciseda sp. won’t come up on the pick list so I can’t immediately confirm this sighting.
The raggedy, non-star-like ‘skirt’ around the base of the spore sac is common fairly early but with time it weathers away. Given that I hadn’t thought of Discisedas with intact raggedy skirts when setting up puffball categories, I can see why you suggested Geastrum. My fault! I see Geastrums far, far more often than I see Discisedas and I’ve seen more old, skirt-less Discisedas than those with a skirt still present. This specimen has been photographed at a nice time while that skirt is till present and is a nice addition to Canberra Nature Map. the Atlas of Living Australia gives just 38 records for the ACT. You can see more Disciseda features at
https://canberra.naturemapr.org/sightings/4208103,
Disciseda australis and
https://canberra.naturemapr.org/sightings/4207000. When I look closely at your photo there is a hint of the roughly reticulate pattern that I mention in my comment about the third of those Disciseda sightings. So perhaps yours is Disciseda candida – but from the photo alone I can’t guarantee it.
The raggedy, non-star-like ‘skirt’ around the base of the spore sac is common fairly early but with time it weathers away. Given that I hadn’t thought of Discisedas with intact raggedy skirts when setting up puffball categories, I can see why you suggested Geastrum. My fault! I see Geastrums far, far more often than I see Discisedas and I’ve seen more old, skirt-less Discisedas than those with a skirt still present. This specimen has been photographed at a nice time while that skirt is till present and is a nice addition to Canberra Nature Map. the Atlas of Living Australia gives just 38 records for the ACT. You can see more Disciseda features at
https://canberra.naturemapr.org/sightings/4208103,
Disciseda australis and
https://canberra.naturemapr.org/sightings/4207000. When I look closely at your photo there is a hint of the roughly reticulate pattern that I mention in my comment about the third of those Disciseda sightings. So perhaps yours is Disciseda candida – but from the photo alone I can’t guarantee it.
Location information
- Coordinates 148.966062-35.239976
- Altitude 482.0m
- Maps Woodstock Nature Reserve
- Places Yaouk, ACT
Sighting information
- At least 1 Abundance
- 20 Oct 2026 04:25 PM Recorded on
- Mike Recorded by
Collections
- Mike NatureMapr Canberra & Southern Tablelands Latest Geastrum sp. (genus) Spore sac on a star-like base [earthstars] Puffballs & the like Fungi
Species information
- Geastrum sp. (genus) Scientific name
- An earthstar Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 987.8m Recorded at altitude
Record quality
Quality score
3 / 7
- Images or audio
- Verified by an expert moderator
- GPS evidence of location
- More than one media file
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species
- Description
- Additional attributes