Family: Sphaerobolaceae

Fungi:> Basidiomycota:> Basidiomycetes:> Gomphales:> Sphaerobolaceae:> Geastrum, Sphaerobolus.

Genus: Geastrum (Earthstars)

Earth stars are similar to puffballs but with a layered coat. The outer layer splits and peels back into 5 to 10 petal-like arrays, thus clearing a space around the mouth of the fungi. Spore dispersal is then achieved by the action of rain drops falling on the inner sack and forcing spores out by the presure it. Has brown warty spores.	Other websites
	- Earth Stars - Fungimap Newsletter

Species: Astraeus hygrometricus
Common Name: Hygroscopic Earthstar Found: Under naive scrub Substrate: On forest floor. Spores: Dark-brown	Height: 40 mm Width: 50 mm Season: Autumn Edible: No

Species: Geastrum saccatum Fries. In this species the centre puffball lacks a stalk and remains in a bowl formed by the outer rays. Outer surface of the rays are smooth
Common Name: Earth stars Found: Mixed Forest Substrate: On forest floor. Spores: Dark-brown	Height: 40 mm Width: 50 mm Season: Autumn Edible: No

Species: Geastrum triplex Jungh. A rather old specimen but recognised by the cup which splits of the endoperidium which the exoperidium sits in.
Common Name: Earth stars Found: Mixed Forest Substrate: On forest floor. Spores: Dark-brown	Height: 50 mm Width: 40 to 100 mm Season: Winter Edible: No

Species: Geastrum velutinum Morgan Very similar to the one above, but with the external surface of the rays been velvety.
Common Name: Velvet Earth stars Found: Mixed Forest Substrate: Forest floor. Spores: Dark-brown	Height: 40 mm Width: 50 mm Season: Autumn Edible: No

Genus: Sphaerobolus

These fungi are known for its ability to fire its spore mass (peridiole) some distance up to 3 meters. The translucent inner peridium shown in photo below indicates that the peridiole has already been fired off.

Species: Sphaerobolus stellatus Tode: Pers
Common Name: Cannon Fungus Found: On wood,sawdust and dung. Substrate: Animal Dung Spore: Peridiole black	Height: 1.5 mm Width: 1 mm Season: Autumn Edible: No

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