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Fungi and Lichen
Geastrum minimum Schwein. 1822
Nomenclature
Species:
Geastrum minimum Schwein. 1822
Usage:
accepted
Vernacular names:
Vernacular name:
Tiny Earthstar
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Synonyms: 2
SUMMARY
Earthstars are fungi related to puffballs in which the outer ‘skin’ splits radially to expose the spore sac which then sites star-like ‘arms’. There are 18 species in Britain, and Norfolk is the only county from which all have been recorded. The Tiny Earthstar is the smallest, with a spore sac never more than 10mm in diameter. It was first found in Britain at Holkham in 1959 and for a long time this remained its only site, occurring in a number of colonies in very short vegetation on fixed dunes. Recently, however, it has been found in Cumbria, Suffolk and at a second site in Norfolk.
Text: Tony Leech