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