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Geastrum triple belongs to the Zvezdovikov family, which got its name due to its characteristic appearance. The fruiting body of this mushroom has a unique shape, which makes it difficult to confuse it with other representatives of the forest kingdom. Distributed almost everywhere.
What does a triple geastrum look like?
The fruiting body of Geastrum triple has a round shape. There is a small swelling in the center of its upper part. The height of the fruiting body of the triple geastrum reaches 5 cm, and the diameter rarely exceeds 3.5 cm. Young mushrooms look like champignons or puffballs with a tubercle.
Appearance of fruiting bodies at different stages of maturity
With age, the outer layer breaks into 3-7 lobed-shaped parts. The diameter of the expanded shell of the fruiting body can reach 12 cm.Externally, the triple geastrum becomes like a star. The color of the mushroom can be very diverse - from light brown to white or dark gray.
“Opened” triple geastrum
The flesh of the inner part is loose and soft. But the outer cracking shell has a denser structure - it is elastic and leathery.
The spores mature in the interior of the mushroom. Over time, at the site where the tubercle forms, a hole appears through which they are seeded.
Where and how does it grow
It is found throughout the planet in temperate and in some cases subtropical climates. Adapts well to temperature fluctuations.
It lives in mixed or deciduous forests, still preferring to form mycorrhizae with coniferous trees. Often found in places where discarded leaves and spruce branches accumulate. Undemanding to soils. It is found mainly in large groups of several dozen mushrooms in one place.
Fruiting occurs in late summer and September. At the slightest touch, the spore sac bursts and covers everything around with gray powder.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Geastrum triple is not poisonous, but it is not eaten as food, since the inner pulp is loose and tasteless. The outer shell, in addition to being inedible, is also too hard and leathery. Belongs to the inedible group.
Doubles and their differences
Considering the characteristic appearance of Geastrum ternata, it is very problematic to confuse it with representatives of any other families.On the other hand, among his “relatives” belonging to the Zvezdovikovs, there are many doubles who could be mistaken for him. These varieties are discussed in more detail below:
Fringed starwort
Unlike Geastrum Triple, it has a darker shade. In addition, after rupture, the outer shell folds almost to the stem. Just like triple geastrum, it is not edible.
In the fringed starwort, the outer shell curls with greater intensity
Geastrum blackhead
It is distinguished by its larger size (up to 7 cm in height), a strongly protruding tubercle and a characteristic color when opening. In addition, this lookalike is found exclusively in deciduous forests.
The sowing of spores of this species occurs already at the stage of opening of the leathery membrane.
Star crowned
Differences in appearance are manifested in the structure of the internal part of the fruiting body: it is more flattened. The spores are brown in color and the stalk is practically absent. In addition, this variety is found predominantly on clay soils.
The crowned star flower has a smaller size and flattened shape of the internal fruiting body
Like triple geastrum, it is inedible. It is a rather rare species with a limited habitat - found only on the European Plain and the North Caucasus.
Conclusion
The Zvezdovikov family, to which the triple geastrum belongs, has a unique appearance, so it is unlikely to confuse this mushroom with any other. The peculiarity of this species is its good adaptation to the environment and its ubiquity.All members of the family are inedible mushrooms, since their flesh is not only loose, but also tasteless.
