Geastrum "triplex-IN01"
Potentially growing gregariously most commonly reported under Maple but also under White Pine, Pine (East Coast), Hemlock (East Coast), Beech, and Rhododendron (West Coast). When young and unopened 2-3cm wide at least with a pale to brownish colored exterior and an umbonate apex. Sometimes appearing scaly to rough in appearance. At maturity 5-6cm wide at least with 5 rays most commonly but sometimes with large rays splitting further into as many as 8 rays. A collar forming at times as expected with Geastrum triplex. Chestnut brown underside when fresh and wet not holding onto an abundance of material seemingly. Exposed spore case on mature specimens usually with a beak and surrounding disk and other times difficult to discern and beak not noticeably lined. Spore case not on a pedestal. Spores Dark brown, globose, spines, and one measurement recorded an average of 4 microns. Odor when sliced immature strong "fungal/glue" in one specimen. Growing around the great lakes, recorded as far south on the east coast as the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia and also present on the West Coast USA in California. Found May through November with most occurrences recorded in September followed by October. [1]
habitat
white pine, hemlock , and maple
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/62111975
beech but maple nearby as pictured
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/128438531
pinus debris pictured
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/139443359
Fruiting under thick organic layer beneath non-native Acer and Rhododendron spp.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/160842989
number of rays pictured:
8
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/128438531
~5
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/62111975
6
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/98330271
5 early perhaps finalizing to 8
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/139443359
5 possibly
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/180852525
5 fruiting bodies between 5 and 6 rays
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182253012
6 rays
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184898106
young photos
yes
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59040500
yes
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/128438531
yes
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/160842989
yes
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/180852525
beak and disk?
yes
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184898106
yes
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182253012
yes
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/62111975
yes
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/98330271
yes
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/180852525
no
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/128438531
no
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/139443359
Size
3cm wide when young
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/160842989
between 2 and 3 cm when young. possibly 5-6cm at maturity
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/180852525
mature about 5-6cm perhaps
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184898106
Odor
strong, fungal/glue
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/160842989
Microscopy
spores no measurements
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59040500
avg size 4 microns
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/62111975
seasonbality
May - November peaking in September
Distribution
Northeast USA and California, USA
highest RiC sequence as of 1.30.25
390
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182253012