A new star in Scotland

The Rayed Earthstar (Geastrum quadrifidum) has been recorded in Scotland for the first time, beneath some exotic trees near Blairgowrie, Perthshire. This is a red list species, given as 'near threatened' with scattered records from the south of England and two from County Durham.

It is a fascinating species with the rays of the star attached to a cup shaped, fragile mycelial layer, an arrangement refered to as 'fornicate'. This character could be easily overlooked in older specimens and the base of the rays should always be carefully checked for fragments of this layer. Interestingly the endoperidium (spore bearing part) of young material looks sessile and it is not until it dries out a bit that it becomes more obviously stipitate - another trick that earthstars might play on the unsuspecting! Pinkish tinges on the upper side of the rays and tiny crystalline granules on the young endoperidium are other characters to look out for in this species.

The area around Blairgowrie is right on the edge of the 'East Lothian' Earthstar hot spot and is relatively under recorded for fungi - one wonders what other mycological treasures it might contain!