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Geastrum elegansPhoto: Phill ClaytonBack to the BAP list |
DescriptionGeneral: Pallid greyish-brown bulb surmounting a darker brown star-shaped base, non-hygroscopic, which raises the spore sac above the surrounding substrate; solitary or in small groups, usually in coastal regions on sandy soil.Dimensions: Unopened bulb 0.75-1.0cm dia; expanded 1.2-3.5cm dia. Fruit Body: Exoperidium pallid brown or darker brown splitting into 6-8 rays; endoperidium pallid greyish-brown, sessile, sub-spherical to ovoid, smooth but often with whitish dusting; peristome conical, plicate and distinctly delimited, though without circular ridge. Gleba: Dark brown. |
Spores: Yellow-brown, 4.8-5.7µm, spherical, verrucose. Basidia not seen. Odour: Not distinctive. Taste: Not distinctive. Chemical Tests: None. Occurrence: Autumn. |
| Qualifying criterion: 4.7: very rare species with restricted range |
| Justification: evidence of decline by about 50% pre- and post-1960; associated with trees in sandy locations |
| Threats: inappropriate sand dune management and erosion |
| 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: 15 |
| Earliest recording: 1892 | |
| Latest recording: 2003 | |
| Vice Counties and (frequency): 1(1); 25(2); 27(1); 28(3); 33(1); 52(1); 59(1); 82(1) | |
| Pre-1960: 7 records | |
| NBN Gateway grid map | Post-1960: 8 records |