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International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology, ISSN 2277-2812 E-ISSN: 2249-8109

Volume 4, Issue 2, 2012 pp 101-103

Research Article

Morphology, Occurrence, Natural habitat, Structure and Texture of Geastrum

Srivastava A K^* and Fr. Prabhat Kennedy Soreng s.j.

Dept of Botany, St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi (Jharkhand) INDIA.

Academic Editor:  Dr. Aher K. R.

Geastrum is a genus of fungi belonging to class: Basidiomycetes, order: Lycoperdales, family: Lycoperdaceae and sub-family: Geastrae. This genus includes a number of edible and inedible species. Geastrum coronatum and Geastrum entomophilum are inedible. Two species of Geastrum are found in Jharkhand, both of them are edible. They taste delicious; they are sold in the market with high price. One species occurs as the rainy season starts in the months of June-July which is locally known as jaitputu or rugra. Second species appears a bit later locally known as kherputu. Many species of Geastrum are commonly known as earthstars because when its fruiting body is young and unopened resembles small spheres lying in the soil but as it matures the thick leathery outer layer of tissue called peridium splits star-like to form a number of fleshy arms, which curves downward to reveal the inner spore sac which contains the fertile tissue known as the gleba. The network of fertile tissue inside the inner peridium, the capillitium arises from the columella. The spore sac has a narrow grooved opening at the top from which the spores are released. The fungus is saprobic and grows on the ground, in leaf litter, or on decomposing wood. In Jharkhand it is found abundantly in the Sal (Shorea robusta) forest.