PUFFBALLS 



'-'5 



Key to the Species 



1. Inner wall ^vith a volva- or cup-like membrane at base 



2. No cup-like membrane between the inner and outer wall 



a. Mouth a more or less irregularly torn hole 



b. Mouth definite, fringed or furrowed 



(1) MdUth fringed, not furrowed 



(2) Mduth radi;itcl\- rurrnwed 



C. triplex 



G. hyj^roinrtriciis 



G. limbatus 

 G. striatus 



Figure 89. Geaster trh'lex 



Geaster triplex Collar Earthstar 



Cap 2-3 cm. wide, the outer wall ficshy at first, splitting into two parts, the 

 lower forming a star-like base with 5-7 lobes, the up])er a collar or cup below the 

 inner wall, the latter papery, dark brown, with a conical fringed mouth ; spores 

 brownish, globose, rough, 2-4//.. The name refers to the three membranes. 



On the ground in woodland or grassland ; probablv edible when young but 

 not tested. 



Geaster hygrometricus Roll Earthstar 



Cap 5-8 cm. wide, the outer wall fleshy-woody, splitting usually into 7-20 lobes, 

 the lobes with a waxy darkish iinier face, strongly inrolled when dry, expanded when 

 moist; the inner wall pajK'ry or leathery, grav to brown, the mouth more or less 

 irregularly or stellately torn; spores red-brown, globose, rough, 7-10/ii. The 

 name refers to the effect of moisture in unrolling the lobes. 



Common on the ground in grassland and woodland; edible when young. 



