Download - Earth Star
Earth Star
Carlee Olsen Contract [4]
Classification
The earth star fungus is classified
as a Gasteromycetes or
“stomach fungi”
The earth star fungi is related to a
puffball. An earth star is different than a puff ball because the earth star has three layers which
allow the earth star to move
Reproduction
The earth star’s fruiting body is a sac filled with dry spores.
Some sacs release there spores when the inside layer wears away, and some form an opening at the top of the sac. When a rain drop strikes
these sacs, spores are pushed out. After spores are pushed out, the sac returns
to its original shape
Growth
When an earth star is young, it looks like an onion. Then the
outer layers split open into the rays of a star. The sac in the
middle of the star holds the spores
Response
The earth star’s rays open when
humidity is high to expose the spores,
and then they close again in
response to drier conditions
Organization
The earth star has a sac filled with
dry spores, wrapped up in a layer which splits open, letting the
spores expose