species mushroom belonging family fungi young specimens spherical fruit body development involves outer layer tissue splitting open like star pointed rays eventually bend point downward revealing small broad spore sac spore sac supported small stalk distinct conical opening spore sac long commonly known reference shape spore sac prominent protruding mass spores surrounding cells sac dark brown mature specimens spores spherical measuring diameter surfaces uncommon cosmopolitan distribution collected locations europe asia africa grows ground open woods like crystals calcium found thought involved fruit body maturation taxonomy classification naming christian published description moses described species originally named based specimens sent obtained japanese mycologist considered identical publication mycologist reported comparing original specimen collected fresh samples thought distinct species named english naturalist respectively concluded specimens synonymous original specimen designated classification placed species subgenus section type group species group characterized surrounded groove concept placed section encompassing species layer covers entire includes species specific epithet derived latin like common names include called shell natural arrangement british plants description immature specimens diameter roughly spherical begin development submerged ground gradually push ground maturation state outer surface covered forms soft coat holds soil debris outer surface young fruit bodies rounded like members genus fruit body wall maturity outer layer splits open star shaped manner rays support spore sac contained inner wall expanded specimens broad tall rays bend simultaneously spore sac ground known condition position spore sac air currents aiding spore dispersal surface rays crack reveal lighter colored areas especially edges developed layer rays typically bound fragments earth forest tough comprising spore sac purple brown color tall wide supported small stalk long wide swelling ring shaped swelling remnants tissue called layer fresh layer whitish color thick brown dark brown splitting covered fine white powder presence characteristic noted somewhat variable spore sac opened single atop conical tissue resembles teeth specific epithet named characteristic long comprises distinct ridges mass spores surrounding cells sac dark brown mature specimens internally contains structure called narrowly conical shape whitish pale brown extends halfway distinguishable odor taste like mushrooms interest microscopic characteristics spores brown roughly spherical shape transparent hyaline diameter lengths included spore bearing cells basidia spored cystidia specialized sterile cells occur surface mushrooms absent mass thread like sterile fibers dispersed spores light brown diameter tapered thick walled narrow interior smooth slightly similar species mistaken similar smaller species species lacks vertical basal portions collar stem similar species shorter stem missing ridges base spore sac color spore sac usually brown contrast gray blue white powder surface spore sac unlike consistently lacks ring base furthermore contrast spores yellow contain oil drops readily microscope smaller fruit bodies distinct collar like distribution habitat species reported grow solitary groups sandy soil rich soil mixed coniferous forests beneath hawaii usually found growing coastal species noted occur late summer autumn britain europe fruit bodies dry persist time cosmopolitan distribution reported australia new_zealand africa south_africa central_america costa_rica japan south_america brazil europe reported belgium ireland germany netherlands norway sweden middle_east recorded israel turkey north_america known united_states including hawaii canada mexico documenting rare endangered species considered threatened species poland north american sources gives frequency appearance rare monograph considers common mushrooms northern europe calcium crystals calcium common compound found fungi including presence calcium crystals apparent whitish powder surface spore sac verified scanning electron calcium crystals occur form known study related species shown crystals responsible characteristic opening outer layers formation calcium crystals stretches layers outer walls pushing apart inner outer layers cited literature morphology ecology special emphasis oslo norway isbn
Geastrum pectinatum