PUFFBALLS 

 Key to the Species 



1. Inner ^vall with a volva- or cup-like membrane at liase 



2. No cuii-like membrane between the inner and outer ^Yal 



a. Mouth a more or less irregularly torn hole 



b. Mouth definite, fringed or furrowed 

 ( 1 ) Mouth fringed, not furrowed 

 (2) Mouth radiatelv furrowed 



J -'5 



G. /li/'ltw 



G. Ii \\s;roj/h-in'c'iiy 



G. li III hat us 



G. siriafiis 



Fic.URE 89. (;eastf,r triplex 



Geaster triplex Collar Earthstar 



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

 lower formmg a star-like base with 5-7 lol)es, the upper a collar or cuii below the 

 inner wall, tlie latter pai)erv, dark brown, with a conical fringed moutli : spnres 

 l)rownish, gloliose, rougli, 2-4/.i. The name refers to the three membranes. 



< )n the ground in woodland or grassland; p)robablv edible wlien young but 

 not tested. 



Geaster hygrometricus Roll Earthstar 



C a i> 5-8 cm. wide, the outer wall fleshy-woody, splitting usually into 7-20 lobes, 

 the loljes with a waxv darkish inner face, strongly inroUed when dry, expanded when 

 moist; the inner wall j^ajjery or leathery, gray to brown, tlie mouth more or less 

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

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



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



