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Vaulted starfish (Geastrum fornicatum) belongs to the star family and is the rarest type of fungus. It can be found only in the wild, almost no one is engaged in mass breeding.
Description of the vaulted star
The vaulted star is also called the earthen vaulted star or earthen star. It has an unusual structure, because of which it got its name: its leg has a star shape.
In the inner part of the fungus there is a spore-bearing body of a spherical or oval shape, which rises above the star-shaped stand on a short stalk. The apex of the body is pointed, surrounded by a thin protective coating. It reaches 1-2 cm in diameter, the spore powder has a dark brown color. The fruit part is preserved during the entire period of ripening.
Outside, the fruiting body is covered with exoperidium – a shell that eventually bursts and opens into 4-10 narrow rays. Their length reaches 3-11 cm. They form a star-like stand about 3-15 cm in size.
The outer shell darkens and dries out over time, the flesh becomes coarser
The rays are erect, then grow to a dense and thick mycelial layer of the shell, which remains underground. The spore-bearing body has a dark brown or gray color. The inner side of the rays is lighter – cream or light brown.
Where and how to grow
This species is extremely rare in Our Country. It is most common in the European part of the country, also found in warm regions with a mild climate: in Eastern Siberia, the Caucasus and forests of the temperate zone.
It grows in deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests, mainly on sandy and carbonate soils. Most often found on the banks of reservoirs, near anthills and under fallen needles. Starlets grow in small groups under bushes and in secluded places, forming witch circles.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
The vaulted starfish belongs to the category of conditionally edible. Before eating, mushrooms must be heat-treated: they can be fried, boiled or stewed. In cooking, young starfish are used, the flesh and shell of which did not have time to darken and coarsen.
The pulp of young mushrooms has a light shade and a smooth surface.
What is useful vaulted star
The benefits of the vaulted starfish are due to the high content of biologically active substances. It is often used in traditional and folk medicine:
- the pulp cut into strips is applied to the wound, instead of a plaster;
- spore powder is a part of medicinal decoctions, infusions and powders;
- young pulp is used to stop and disinfect blood;
- extracts are used as an antitumor and antibacterial agent.
Also, dried pulp can be used as an antipyretic, preparing decoctions from it or adding to tea.
Twins and their differences
The vaulted starfish has a peculiar appearance and structure that distinguishes it from other mushrooms. But the Zvezdovikov family includes several more species with which it is very easy to confuse.
Starfish fringed (Geastrum fimbriatum) – refers to inedible, the outer shell has a cream or light brown color. Over time, it breaks up into 6-7 blades, which are bent down, forming legs. Spores are located in a ball surrounded by a bowl of pulp.
The fringed starfish differs from the vaulted one in the absence of a leg that connects the spore-bearing body to the stand.
Starfish topped (Geastrum coronatum) – an inedible mushroom with several rays of gray or light brown color, on which the spore-bearing part is attached. The spherical body tapers upward, forming a sharp stomata, and is attached to a short thick stalk.
It differs from the vaulted starfish in a darker color of the core
Starfish small (Geastrum minimum) – is inedible, grows on calcareous soil and matures underground. Most common in the steppes, forest edges and clearings. The body has the shape of a ball, the shell cracks and opens into 6-12 narrow rays, forming a star-shaped stand. The spore body is spherical in shape, has a small point at the top and is attached to a short (2-3 mm) stalk.
Unlike the vaulted star, the core of the mushroom has the same light shade as the legs.
Striped starfish (Geastrum striatum) – refers to inedible, is a saprotroph and grows on desert soil and decaying remains of grass and trees. During the ripening period, the body of the fungus has a teardrop shape and is completely hidden underground. The outer part bursts and separates into several beams of light brown or cream color. In their center is a spherical cavity with spores that exit through the upper stomata.
The rays of the tiger starfish are covered with deep cracks that look like stripes.
Conclusion
The vaulted starfish has many useful properties; it is used in medicine and cooking as an exotic side dish or seasoning for the main course. The mushroom is extremely difficult to find and collect, since during the ripening period it is completely hidden by the ground. It is very important to be able to distinguish it from other mushrooms of this species, because they are inedible.
