The Earthstar: Nature’s Heavenly Body
Monday 19 August 2024
If you ever come across an earthstar while you are on a forest walk then you might be forgiven for scratching your head and coming to the conclusion that aliens have finally arrived on the planet. The earthstar looks like a small, star-shaped object, almost like a tiny alien flower. Yet this is no flower – and its origins are very much down to earth. Meet the earthstar – one of nature’s most fascinating and mysterious creations.
First things first – and you have probably already guessed this. The earthstar is a type of fungus – but not exactly like the ones you are used to seeing in a grocery store (that might cause panic). Although they – there are around 50 species - may have had their common name for untold generations, their scientific name was given to them in the nineteenth century by Swedish mycologist Elias Magnus Fries. The name was Geastrum – a name which derives for the Greek words for (you’ve guessed this too) “earth” and “star”. This perfectly describes the fungus – hey seem as if they belong in a (possibly twisted) fairytale rather than on the forest floor.
A Star is Born
The lifecycle of the earthstar is one of transformation. They start life as puffballs, secreted away beneath the ground or among leaves that have fallen to the forest. At this point in their lifecycle they are easy to overlook but at majority something extraordinary occurs. The outer layer of the puffball splits open, and peels back in several places, revealing its central spore sac. The sections that have split spread outwards and give the fungus its characteristic shape which gives the earthstar its name.
The outer layer forms another purpose as well. The arms of the star lift the central spore sac off the ground, away from the detritus that covers the forest floor. By doing this, it ensures that when the spores are released they stand the best chance of being carried away by the wind rather than being caught by anything in the immediate vicinity of the earthstar. Some earthstars have the ability to slightly move their “arms” and curl and uncurl in response to changes in moisture level. This further aids in the dispersal of spores and, it is hoped, the persistence of the species over time.
The lifecycle of the earthstar is one of transformation. They start life as puffballs, secreted away beneath the ground or among leaves that have fallen to the forest. At this point in their lifecycle they are easy to overlook but at majority something extraordinary occurs. The outer layer of the puffball splits open, and peels back in several places, revealing its central spore sac. The sections that have split spread outwards and give the fungus its characteristic shape which gives the earthstar its name.
The outer layer forms another purpose as well. The arms of the star lift the central spore sac off the ground, away from the detritus that covers the forest floor. By doing this, it ensures that when the spores are released they stand the best chance of being carried away by the wind rather than being caught by anything in the immediate vicinity of the earthstar. Some earthstars have the ability to slightly move their “arms” and curl and uncurl in response to changes in moisture level. This further aids in the dispersal of spores and, it is hoped, the persistence of the species over time.
Variety
All earthstars share the same basic structure but they also come in a variety of colors, sizes and forms. Many are tiny – as small as a fingernail. Others can grow much larger (but the maximum size is about that of a tennis ball). The outer “arms”, too, can vary: some are delicate and pale while others are leather and dark. In some species there is a difference in colour between the star and the spore sac, making them look loke miniature works of art.
The first picture in this post features Geastrum triplex. When this earthstar matures it forms a distinctive collar around the base of the spore sac which gives it an extra layer of visual interest, giving a touch of magic to the forest floor. While we’re here it may be worth mentioning that while they are not poisonous to humans, the earthstar would not make anything approaching a tasty meal. Best to leave it where it is rather than try a few in your next culinary pièce de resistance.
A Connection to Ancient Beliefs
Earthstars have captured the imagination of people throughout history. In parts of Britain they were connected with supernatural or magical forces. There sudden appearance on the forest floor was seen to be as a sign of some kind of divine influence. Earthstars were often thought to be protective omens – a sign that luck was about to change. Likewise in Germany, the earthstar was given otherworldly properties and it was believed that they fell from the sky to bestow luck on whoever came across them.
They have also been used medicinally – often by indigenous peoples of the Americas. The Blackfoot referred to them as “ka-ka-toos” which (unsurprisingly) translates to “fallen stars”. Like their peers in Europe, the Blackfoot believed that they presaged supernatural events. Medicinally, the Cherokees put the fruit bodies on the navel of newborns to prevent disease. The Chinese, too, use the earthstar to staunch bleeding and reduce swelling around wounds.
Certainly, the presence of an earthstar in a forest remains a sign that the ecosystem is healthy and balanced.
Today we may not conclude divine intervention – or dash to the forest in search of one the minute we become a parent. Yet coming across an earthstar can certainly feel like a special moment, a reminder of the many wonders that nature chooses to show us.
All earthstars share the same basic structure but they also come in a variety of colors, sizes and forms. Many are tiny – as small as a fingernail. Others can grow much larger (but the maximum size is about that of a tennis ball). The outer “arms”, too, can vary: some are delicate and pale while others are leather and dark. In some species there is a difference in colour between the star and the spore sac, making them look loke miniature works of art.
The first picture in this post features Geastrum triplex. When this earthstar matures it forms a distinctive collar around the base of the spore sac which gives it an extra layer of visual interest, giving a touch of magic to the forest floor. While we’re here it may be worth mentioning that while they are not poisonous to humans, the earthstar would not make anything approaching a tasty meal. Best to leave it where it is rather than try a few in your next culinary pièce de resistance.
A Connection to Ancient Beliefs
Earthstars have captured the imagination of people throughout history. In parts of Britain they were connected with supernatural or magical forces. There sudden appearance on the forest floor was seen to be as a sign of some kind of divine influence. Earthstars were often thought to be protective omens – a sign that luck was about to change. Likewise in Germany, the earthstar was given otherworldly properties and it was believed that they fell from the sky to bestow luck on whoever came across them.
They have also been used medicinally – often by indigenous peoples of the Americas. The Blackfoot referred to them as “ka-ka-toos” which (unsurprisingly) translates to “fallen stars”. Like their peers in Europe, the Blackfoot believed that they presaged supernatural events. Medicinally, the Cherokees put the fruit bodies on the navel of newborns to prevent disease. The Chinese, too, use the earthstar to staunch bleeding and reduce swelling around wounds.
Certainly, the presence of an earthstar in a forest remains a sign that the ecosystem is healthy and balanced.
Today we may not conclude divine intervention – or dash to the forest in search of one the minute we become a parent. Yet coming across an earthstar can certainly feel like a special moment, a reminder of the many wonders that nature chooses to show us.
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