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Schmiedel's star is a rare mushroom with an unusual shape. It belongs to the Zvezdovikov family and the Basidiomycetes department. Scientific name: Geastrum schmidelii.
What does Schmiedel's starfish look like?
Schmiedel's starwort is a representative of saprotrophs. It creates interest due to its intricate appearance. The average diameter of the fruit is 8 cm. It has a star-shaped shape. In the middle there is a spore-bearing body, from which spongy rays extend.
As it grows, a mushroom emerges from the ground in the form of a bag. Over time, it forms a cap, which eventually bursts, breaking up into ends that curl downwards. At the initial stage of development, the color of Schmiedel's starfish varies from milky to brown.Subsequently, the rays darken and sometimes disappear completely. The color of the spores is brown.
The fruiting bodies do not have a pronounced odor
Where and how does it grow
Schmiedel's starfish lives in mixed and coniferous forests, on the coast of reservoirs. It is classified as a wild-growing saprotroph. Mushrooms are found in whole families, which are popularly called “witch circles.” For mycelium growth, coniferous drainage and sandy loam soil, which includes forest humus, are needed. The species grows in southern North America and some European countries. In Russia, it can be found in Eastern Siberia and the Caucasus.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
The mushroom belongs to the category of conditionally edible. It is common in alternative medicine. Due to its low nutritional value, it is not used in cooking.
Doubles and their differences
There are several varieties of saprotrophs in nature. Some of them are similar in appearance to the Schmiedel starfish.
Vaulted star
The vaulted starfish differs only slightly in appearance. The principle of growth for a double is exactly the same. The rays of the cracked cap look into the ground, which makes the mushroom taller. Adult specimens have a dark brown color and coarse light flesh. The mushroom is eaten only at a young age during the period when the fruiting body is partially underground. No heat treatment is required before eating. Refers to conditionally edible.
This species is used as an antiseptic
Geastrum triple
A distinctive feature of the triple geastrum is a clearly defined courtyard formed at the site where the spores emerge.It is similar to Schmiedel's starfish only at the stage of opening the cap; later it changes greatly. The color of the fruiting body is bright yellow. Triple geastrum is classified as an inedible mushroom.
The spores of the triple geastrum are spherical and warty
Striped starwort
The exoperidium of the twin is divided into 6-9 lobes. Gleba has a light gray tint. A distinctive feature is chaotic cracks on the surface. The neck of the fruiting body has a dense texture and a whitish coating. The mushroom pulp is not eaten as food, since the species is classified as inedible.
The double prefers to inhabit the territory under ash and oak trees
Conclusion
Schmiedel's starwort is considered one of the most unusual representatives of Basidiomycetes. It attracts professional mushroom pickers with its appearance. But it is undesirable to eat it due to the high risk of poisoning.
