Geastrum jurei
Encyclopedia
Geastrum jurei is a species of fungus
in the Geastrales
, or earthstar fungi. It is known only from Algarrobo
, in the Valparaíso
province of Chile. It is a fornicate species of earthstar, meaning that the tips of the rays press down so as to raise the spherical spore sac into the air.
), Geastrum jurei is classified in the section Perimyceliata Stanek. It is distinguished from other fornicate earthstars: Geastrum smardae and G. welwitschii
belong to the section Basimyceliata, G. quadrifidium
has a clearly defined peristome (an opening on top of the spore sac) and G. fornicatum
has a peristome the same color as the endoperidium. Although the species G. dissimile appeared to be related, Lazo examined the type specimen, and proved it to be different not only by a more sulcate mouth (with deep narrow furrows or grooves) but also by other macroscopic and microscopic characters (e.g., smaller spores with acute spines).
Known from Chile, the species was described in 1972, based on specimens found in Algarrobo
, Valparaíso
, in 1966. The specific epithet is dedicated to professor Ricardo Jure M.
. The pseudoparenchymatic layer is thin, dark brown with a violaceous tinge, cracked, especially on the rays, and hard like wood. The pedicel is 2 by 4 mm broad and 2 mm high, compressed, smooth, and cream-colored. The endoperidium (the inner tissue layer of the peridium) is round, 9 mm broad and 8 mm high, depressed, the same color as the pseudoparenchymatic layer, and smooth. The peristome is roughly conical, silky, slightly radially wrinkled (but not sulcate), and very pale grayish-brown. The peristome is indefinite, but due to its color it is well-distinguished from the endoperidium.
The spore
s are 5–5.5 μm
broad, reddish-brown, spherical, with warts that are short and irregular. The capillitium is 5–8 μm in diameter, reddish-brown, thin walled, nonseptate, without any branches.
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
in the Geastrales
Geastrales
Geastrales is an order of gasterocarpic basidiomycetes that relates to Cantharellales. It includes the genera Geastrum and Myriostoma.The common name is "earthstars."...
, or earthstar fungi. It is known only from Algarrobo
Algarrobo, Chile
Algarrobo is a Chilean city and commune in San Antonio Province, Valparaíso Region. Located on the country's central coast, it is a popular summer resort for the population of Santiago...
, in the Valparaíso
Valparaíso
Valparaíso is a city and commune of Chile, center of its third largest conurbation and one of the country's most important seaports and an increasing cultural center in the Southwest Pacific hemisphere. The city is the capital of the Valparaíso Province and the Valparaíso Region...
province of Chile. It is a fornicate species of earthstar, meaning that the tips of the rays press down so as to raise the spherical spore sac into the air.
Taxonomy
Based on the characteristics of the exoperidium (the outer tissue layer of the peridiumPeridium
The peridium is the protective layer that encloses a mass of spores in fungi. This outer covering is a distinctive feature of the Gasteromycetes.-Description:...
), Geastrum jurei is classified in the section Perimyceliata Stanek. It is distinguished from other fornicate earthstars: Geastrum smardae and G. welwitschii
Geastrum welwitschii
Geastrum welwitschii is a species of fungus in the earthstar family. When young and unopened, the fruit bodies resemble small spheres lying in the soil...
belong to the section Basimyceliata, G. quadrifidium
Geastrum quadrifidum
Geastrum quadrifidum, commonly known as the rayed earthstar or four-footed earthstar, is an inedible species of mushroom belonging to the genus Geastrum, or earthstar fungi. First described scientifically by Christian Hendrik Persoon in 1794, G. quadrifidum is a cosmopolitan—but not...
has a clearly defined peristome (an opening on top of the spore sac) and G. fornicatum
Geastrum fornicatum
Geastrum fornicatum, commonly known as the acrobatic earthstar or the arched earthstar, is an inedible species of mushroom in the family Geastraceae...
has a peristome the same color as the endoperidium. Although the species G. dissimile appeared to be related, Lazo examined the type specimen, and proved it to be different not only by a more sulcate mouth (with deep narrow furrows or grooves) but also by other macroscopic and microscopic characters (e.g., smaller spores with acute spines).
Known from Chile, the species was described in 1972, based on specimens found in Algarrobo
Algarrobo, Chile
Algarrobo is a Chilean city and commune in San Antonio Province, Valparaíso Region. Located on the country's central coast, it is a popular summer resort for the population of Santiago...
, Valparaíso
Valparaíso
Valparaíso is a city and commune of Chile, center of its third largest conurbation and one of the country's most important seaports and an increasing cultural center in the Southwest Pacific hemisphere. The city is the capital of the Valparaíso Province and the Valparaíso Region...
, in 1966. The specific epithet is dedicated to professor Ricardo Jure M.
Description
The exoperidium is 26 mm (1 in) wide, 15 mm (0.590551181102362 in) high, and split into five broadly acute rays. The outer surface is strongly encrusted with sand and debris; the fibrillose layer is hard, on the outside shining, pale ochraceous, on the inside chestnutChestnut (color)
Chestnut, also known as Indian red, is a color, a medium brownish shade of red, and is named after the nut of the chestnut tree.As Indian red, it is named after the red laterite soil found in India. It is thus an earth tone as well as a red. It is composed of naturally occurring iron oxides. Other...
. The pseudoparenchymatic layer is thin, dark brown with a violaceous tinge, cracked, especially on the rays, and hard like wood. The pedicel is 2 by 4 mm broad and 2 mm high, compressed, smooth, and cream-colored. The endoperidium (the inner tissue layer of the peridium) is round, 9 mm broad and 8 mm high, depressed, the same color as the pseudoparenchymatic layer, and smooth. The peristome is roughly conical, silky, slightly radially wrinkled (but not sulcate), and very pale grayish-brown. The peristome is indefinite, but due to its color it is well-distinguished from the endoperidium.
The spore
Spore
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...
s are 5–5.5 μm
Micrometre
A micrometer , is by definition 1×10-6 of a meter .In plain English, it means one-millionth of a meter . Its unit symbol in the International System of Units is μm...
broad, reddish-brown, spherical, with warts that are short and irregular. The capillitium is 5–8 μm in diameter, reddish-brown, thin walled, nonseptate, without any branches.