Please help ID these fungi

November 10, 2006 2:01 AM

Mycology: My dear bride would like to know what these mushrooms are.

To quote her:

"These mushrooms were found under a cedar tree. The photo is pretty true to the real color (on my screen, anyway). There have never been mushrooms in this area of the yard before. The cedar tree is huge.

"These are just about 1-2 feet or so in from the drip line. Two horses live in a pasture just 2-3 yards away. Raccoons, squirrels, and deer are in the area frequently. The location is on the Quimper Penisula in Washington State."

posted by maxwelton to science & nature (7 comments total)

Geastrum coronatum?
posted by public at 2:08 AM on November 10, 2006

Some more info, however I have no idea on the exact species, definitely some sort of Earthstar though.
posted by public at 2:12 AM on November 10, 2006

Yes, an earthstar. G. coronatum would fit if it's spore sack sits on a little stalk (you can't really tell from the photo).

The Roger's mushroom website is another excellent resource if you want to investigate further.
posted by jonesor at 4:26 AM on November 10, 2006 [1 favorite]

A fungus site with focus on the PNW:
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=199
posted by allelopath at 7:05 AM on November 10, 2006

I wonder about it being an Astraeus of some sort. It looks a little like A. pteridis, but for the veins on the ... whatever those things are.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 8:04 AM on November 10, 2006

they are clearly some sort of tentacular woodland octopoid. run!!!
posted by gnutron at 10:13 AM on November 10, 2006

Mrs. Maxwelton says thanks mucho!
posted by maxwelton at 11:20 AM on November 10, 2006