The following are three different versions of a key for the determination of earth stars growing in Mamane-Naio habitats. This subalpine dry shrubland habitat is dominated by the Hawaiian endemic plants `mamane' (Sophora chrysophylla) and `naio' (Myoporum sandwicense). It is a common habitat at 1,800-2,900 m elevation on the slopes of Mauna Kea and in the saddle between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawai`i. Other gasteromycetes found here include Battarraea phalloides, Disciseda verrucosum and several species of Tulostoma. If you happen to be collecting in this habitat and encounter earth stars, please try out the three different keys below and let us know which version you prefer.
Key 1:
1. Endoperidium opening by numerous pores (multistomatous)............... Myriostoma coliforme
1. Endoperidium opening by a single apical pore (unistomatous).............. 2
2. Peristome sulcate................... 3
2. Peristome fimbriate............... 4
3. Rays hygroscopic, thick and stiff; spores lacking a large guttule............. Geastrum campestre
3. Rays not hygroscopic, straight to slightly involute, thin and flexible; spores with a single large guttule.............. Geastrum xerophilum
4. Exoperidium fornicate............... Geastrum fornicatum
4. Exoperidium not fornicate............... 5
5. Endoperidium stalked............... Geastrum minimum
5. Endoperidium sessile............... 6
6. Rays strongly hygroscopic; endoperidium 5-13 mm diam............... Geastrum corallinum
6. Rays not hygroscopic, strongly revolute; endoperidium 12-20 mm diam............... Geastrum saccatum
Key 2:
1. Endoperidium opening by numerous pores (multistomatous)............... Myriostoma coliforme
1. Endoperidium opening by a single apical pore (unistomatous)............... 2
2. Rays hygroscopic............... 3
2. Rays not hygroscopic, revolute, straight or slightly involute when dried............... 4
3. Peristome sulcate; endoperidium short-stalked............... Geastrum campestre
3. Peristome fimbriate; endoperidium sessile............... Geastrum corollinum
4. Peristome sulcate............... Geastrum xerophilum
4. Peristome fimbriate............... 5
5. Endoperidium sessile; rays revolute............... Geastrum saccatum
5. Endoperidium stalked; rays straight or involute............... 6
6. Exoperidium fornicate; endoperidium 15-20 mm diam............... Geastrum fornicatum
6. Exoperidium not fornicate; endoperidium 5-10 mm diam............... Geastrum minimum
Key 3:
1. Endoperidium opening by numerous pores (multistomatous)............... Myriostoma coliforme
1. Endoperidium opening by a single apical pore (unistomatous)............... 2
2. Endoperidium sessile................ 3
2. Endoperidium stalked............... 4
3. Rays strongly hygroscopic; endoperidium 5-13 mm diam............... Geastrum corallinum
3. Rays not hygroscopic, strongly revolute; endoperidium 12-20 mm diam...............Geastrum saccatum
4. Peristome sulcate.................. 5
4. Peristome fimbriate...............6
5. Rays hygroscopic, thick and stiff; spores lacking a large guttule...............Geastrum campestre
5. Rays not hygroscopic, straight to slightly involute, thin and flexible; spores with a single large guttule................Geastrum xerophilum
6. Exoperidium fornicate; endoperidium 15-20 mm diam...............Geastrum fornicatum
6. Exoperidium not fornicate; endoperidium 5-10 mm diam...............Geastrum minimum
Return to List of Keys
Send Us Your Comments