This species is a plant of world wide distribution, common in the 
United States. It is more rare in Europe where it is generally known 
as Geaster lageniformis. It seems to be the most frequent species in 
Australia. Of the eleven collections of Geasters we have received from 
that country, six belong to this one species. Numerous collections are 
also at Kew. Our figures (23) all made from Australian specimens, show 
three expanded plants, one unexpanded, and the outer view of aspeciinen. 
Compared to the American plant, the Australian has notably 
larger spores and the exoperidium is not so flaccid, but we do not feel 
it practicable to separate them. Geaster vittatus (Grev. 9-3) is a form 
with exoperidium longitudinally cracked. 
GEASTER CORIACEUS (Trans. N. Z. Inst. 22, 451) is a large form with a 
firmer exoperidium, intermediate between Geaster saccatus and G. triplex. 
Geaster Guilfoylei (Sacc. 7. 472) is a synonym for G. saccatus (not for G. 
rufescens as stated). 
Specimens in our Collection. 
Australia , Grantville, J. T. Paul ; Melbourne, W. R. Guilfoyle (two collections) >' 
Sydney, R T. Baker. 
New Zealand, Andover, Robt. Brown; Christ Church, Robert Brown. 
GEASTER TRIPLEX.— 
Unexpanded plant acute. Exo- 
peridium saccate, sometimes 
revolute. Endoperidium sessile, 
mouth definite. 
Geaster triplex has the same 
characters as G. saccatus, but the 
typical form is so much larger 
that it would not be taken for 
the same plant. Still in the 
United States intermediate speci¬ 
mens reach me often that are dif¬ 
ficult to refer to either. There 
is a specimen at Kew from Miss 
Carter, N. S. Wales,that I should 
refer to triplex. Our illustration 
is from the American plant. 
Notes on other Species attributed to Australasia. 
Geaster fimbriatus is a common species of Europe, but I think grows no 
where else. It is close to saccatus, but has an indefinite mouth. All specimens so 
labeled at Kew from Australia have definite mouths and I should refer them to 
saccatus. Geaster australis (Flo. Tasmania 2-264), conies nearer to fimbriatus than 
specimens so labeled. 
Geaster Speggazzinianus, I have seen no specimens so labeled from Australia, 
but the species from South America was based on large floriforniis. 
Geaster coronatus (Trans. N. Z. Inst. 16-362) I have seen no specimens and 
name is preoccupied. 
Geaster affinis (1. c.) I do not know. 
Geaster lugubris, is a synonym for Geaster mammosus but there are no speci¬ 
mens of this plant from Australia in museums of Europe. 
Geaster pusillus (PI. Priess 2-139). No type exists and no one knows 
anything about it. 
Fig. 24. 
23 
