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Geastrum berkeleyiPhoto: Irene AnderssonBack to the BAP list |
DescriptionGeneral: Greyish-brown bulb surmounting a reddish-brown star shaped base, which raises the spore sac above the surrounding substrate; solitary or in small groups in mixed woodlands or open sites on calcareous soil.Dimensions: Unopened bulb 1-5cm dia; expanded 4-8cm dia Fruit Body: Exoperidium reddish-brown splitting into 5-9 rays; endoperidium greyish-brown, stipitate, sub-spherical or pyriform. on 1-3mm stem, finely roughened; peristome conical and distinctly plicate. Gleba: Dark purplish-brown. |
Spores: 5-6µm, spherical to sub-spherical, strongly verrucose. Basidia not seen. Odour: Not distinctive. Taste: Not distinctive. Chemical Tests: None. Occurrence: Autumn. |
| Qualifying criterion: 4.7: very rare species |
| Justification: evidence of decline by more than 50% pre- and post-1960; now only fruits regularly from one site |
| Threats: habitat destruction, roadside site disturbance due to digging, tipping etc |
| Action Required: Survey and monitoring; protection against habitat loss and degradation; site liaison and management. |
Statistics:UK (excluding NI & CI) fungus records
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Total records: 31 |
| Earliest recording: 1880 | |
| Latest recording: 2004 | |
| Vice Counties and (frequency): 17(1); 22(1); 27(1); 32(1); 36(11); 37(4); 54(3); 56(3); 82(1) | |
| Pre-1960: 16 records | |
| NBN Gateway grid map | Post-1960: 15 records |