Hygroscopic earthstars

EOL certainly has a different version... thanks again EHN I think those sites might have it wrong.

Thanks so much for the input EduHerNav. Can you give any references to support your suggestion? The links to Wiki and CSIRO (our government scientific organisation) above both clearly show a species with 'cracked rays'. Both those sites have been known to be in error before though...?

Astraeus has cracked rays and undefined mouth. G. triplex has a definite mouth (like a ring).

Nice pic! but that's an Astraeus, not a Geastrum.

Very nice!

I've seen them up on Mt. Wellington (above Hobart), and in Mt. Field National Park. Both very wet natural environments. We're Black peppermint dominant dry schlerophyll at our place, and, in addition to several hectares of native bush, have a stand of mature pines (which the Yellow-tailed black cockatoos love) - they'll be surrounded by Slippery Jacks soon.

Thanks Lori. Yes I remember your eyeballs. :-) I can only remember these near introduced Pinus sp. but might be wrong.

Not that I know of. I've only seen them in native settings. Whereas we have lots of pines on our place, and the 'shrooms that love them.

I haven't seen this type before. Are they introduced with pine?

Very nice earthstars, Mark (and yes, a lovely photo). I only ever seem to spot them when they look like shriveled eyeballs.

Thanks Dan. I liked this pic for the colors, shades and patterns.

Nice Mark! Love the earthstars!