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Sphaerobolus stellatus.   Click a photo to enlarge it.   back to list

synonyms: Kugelwerfer, Shooting Star
Sphaerobolus stellatus Mushroom
Ref No: 8917
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Sphaerobolus stellatus2 Mushroom
Ref No: 8918
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location: North America, Europe
edibility: Inedible
fungus colour: White to cream
normal size: Less than 5cm
cap type: Other
stem type: Lateral, rudimentary or absent
spore colour: White, cream or yellowish
habitat: Grows on wood, Grows on plant material/manure

Sphaerobolus stellatus Tode syn. S. carpobolus (L.) Schroet. syn. Carpobolus stellatus (Mich.) Desm. Kugelwerfer Shooting Star. Fruit body 1.5–2.5mm across, initially globose and whitish becoming more ochraceous and splitting above into 5–9 minute orange-coloured rays, exposing the peridiole as a brownish ball containing the spores. This is projected over a range of up to 5.5 metres (14 feet) to disperse the spores by the sudden reversal of the receptacle which then appears as a translucent white sphere sitting on the star-shaped outer wall. Spores oblong, 7.5–10 x 3.5–5um. Habitat on sticks, sawdust, dung and other organic debris. Season autumn. Occasional but possibly often overlooked. Not edible. Distribution, America and Europe.

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