earth·star (ûrth stär )n. A fungus of the genus Geastrum, related to and resembling the puffballs and having an outer covering that splits open in a starlike form. |
earthstar [ˈɜːθˌstɑː]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any of various basidiomycetous saprotrophic woodland fungi of the genus Geastrum, whose brown onion-shaped reproductive body splits into a star shape to release the spores
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  earthstar - any fungus of the family Geastraceae; in form suggesting a puffball whose outer peridium splits into the shape of a starfungus - an organism of the kingdom Fungi lacking chlorophyll and feeding on organic matter; ranging from unicellular or multicellular organisms to spore-bearing syncytia family Geastraceae, Geastraceae - a family of earthstar fungi belonging to the order Lycoperdales Geastrum coronatum - an earthstar with a bluish spore sac and a purplish brown gleba; at maturity the outer layer splits into rays that bend backward and elevate the spore sac Astreus pteridis - the largest earthstar; the fruiting body can measure 15 cm across when the rays are expanded Astreus hygrometricus - a common species of earthstar widely distributed in sandy soil; the gleba is a pale tan |
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