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Kingdom: Fungi
Subkingdom: Dikarya
Phylum: Basidiomycota
Subphylum: Agaricomycotina
Class: Agaricomycetes
Subclass: Phallomycetidae
Order: Geastrales
Family: Geastraceae
Genus: Geastrum
Species: Geastrum velutinum
Common name: Velvet Earthstar

Geastrum velutinum starts as a developing looking like a puffball. At maturity, the outer layer of the fruiting body splits into broad rays which turn outwards creating a star-like pattern on the ground, (Width 50mm).
The spores are contained inside a thin-skinned fruit-body (inner peridium) that is exposed when the body segments fold back. The spores are released through a small hole at the top when rain drops hit the fruit-body. The mouth is quite prominent, arising as a small cone at the apex of the inner peridium.
The dark-brown spores are released through this mouth.

Geastrum velutinum is found usually during autumn on forest litter. The specimen photographed below was growing on old pine bark.
Earthstars Geastrum velutinum-2.JPG

Geastrum velutinum Earthstars.JPG

Growing on forest litter
Geastrum velutinum Velvet Earthstar.JPG

1-Geastrum velutinum Velvet Earthstar .JPG


Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/