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Schmidel’s starfish is a rare mushroom with an unusual shape. It belongs to the Zvezdovikov family and the Basidiomycetes department. The scientific name is Geastrum schmidelii.
What does Schmiedel’s star look like?
Schmidel’s star is a representative of saprotrophs. It attracts interest due to its intricate appearance. The diameter of the fruit is on average 8 cm. It has a star-shaped shape. In the middle is a spore-bearing body, from which spongy rays depart.
In the process of growth, a mushroom appears in the form of a bag from the ground. Over time, a hat is formed from it, which eventually bursts, breaking up into ends that wrap downwards. At the initial stage of development, the color of Schmidel’s starfish varies from milky to brown. In the future, the rays darken, and sometimes completely disappear. Spore color is brown.
Fruiting bodies do not have a pronounced smell
Where and how to grow
Shmidel’s starfish lives in mixed and coniferous forests, on the coast of reservoirs. It is classified as a wild saprotroph. Mushrooms are found in whole families, which are popularly called “witch circles”. For the growth of mycelium, coniferous drainage and sandy loamy soil, which includes forest humus, are needed. The species grows in the south of North America and in some European countries. In Our Country, 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. In cooking, due to the low nutritional value, they are not used.
Twins and their differences
In nature, there are several varieties of saprotrophs. Some of them are similar in appearance to Schmiedel’s starship.
Vaulted star
The vaulted asterisk differs in appearance only slightly. The principle of growth in a twin is exactly the same. The rays of the cracked cap look at the ground, which makes the mushroom taller. Adult specimens have a dark brown color and coarsened light flesh. The mushroom is eaten only at a young age during the partial presence of the fruiting body underground. Heat treatment before eating is not required. Refers to conditionally edible.
This species is used as an antiseptic.
Geastrum triple
A distinctive feature of the triple gestum is a distinct courtyard formed at the site of spore release. It is similar to Schmiedel’s asterisk only at the stage of opening the cap, later it changes greatly. The color of the fruiting body is bright yellow. Triple gestrum is classified as an inedible mushroom.
The spores of the triple gestrum are spherical, warty
Starfish striped
The exoperidium of the twin is divided into 6-9 lobes. Gleba has a light gray tint. A distinctive feature is the chaotic cracks on the surface. The neck of the fruiting body is distinguished by a dense texture and a whitish coating. Mushroom pulp is not eaten, as the species is inedible.
The double prefers to populate the territory under the ash and oak
Conclusion
Schmidel’s star is considered one of the most unusual representatives of Basidiomycetes. He attracts professional mushroom pickers with his appearance. But it is undesirable to eat it because of the high risk of poisoning.
