The gasteroid fungi of Essex
was first reported in Britain in 1982. It has been recorded once in Essex in Mistley. The spore-sac
has a fringed structure around its opening. A mat of fungal threads covers the debris on winch it
grows. The spore-sac is not stalked. The rays bend with changes in humidity.
54IR.
Geastrum coronatum Crowned Earthstar
Distribution 5 : 6
This rare species has been recorded once in Essex in the Southend area. The stmcture around the
opening of the spore-sac is fringed but may be indistinct. The spore-sac is stalked. A mat of fungal
threads covers the debris onwhich it grows. The rays arch over the ground. The fruiting body is from
3-10 cm across.
110 JB.
Geastrum triplex Collared Earthstar
Distribution 1:2:4:5:6
This species is perhaps the commonest of the British earthstars. The fruiting body is large and fleshy.
The structure around the opening of the spore-sac is fringed. The spore-sac is large and smooth often
with a conspicuous collar. There is no mat of fungal threads covering the debris on which it grows.
The spore-sac is not stalked.
111 BM; 112 GH; 24 MM; 26 MM; 113 EWT; 114 EWT.
Calvatia The fruiting body is over 10 cm. The spore-wall disintegrates when ripe.
Calvatia gigantea Giant Puffball
Distribution 1:2:3:4:5:6
This species is sometimes frequent in grassy places and is easy to recognise. The fruiting body is
like a large, white foot-ball. It also occurs in woods and gardens. It sometimes occurs in very large
numbers.
76 GK; 115 GK; 116 GK; 117 GK; 118MG; 13 MG; 119MD; 120BP; 121 JS; 122 PS; 123 JH; 124
JH; 125 JH; 126 JT; 127 JH; 128 GSm; 129 PS; 130 DS; 26 MM; 4 MM; 24 MM; 131 MM; 132
MM; 25 MS; 28 ML; 61 RB; 99 MG; 52 ADB; 49 ADB; 53 MH; 54 IR; 55 IR; 56 EWT; 133 EWT;
134 EWT; 114 RW; 135 RT; 136 RB; 137 RB; 138 ShW; 139 ShW; 140 ShW; 141 ShW; 142 ShW;
38 ShW; 143 ShW; 39 GS; 144 GS; 145 GS; 146 ADB; 253 KA; 254 KA.
Vascellum Tissue below spore-sac is spongy. The wall lias a large opening when ripe. There is no
false column in the spore-sac and a well-defined diaphragm separates the spore-sac from the sterile
tissue underneath.
Vascellum pratense Meadow Puffball
Distribution 1:2:3:4:5:6
This is a small, flat-topped puffball with a tough, skin-like partition separating the spore-producing
region from the sterile base. It is common in grassland.
76 GK; 27 ADB; 13 MG; 99 MG; 47 MG; 3 JS; 147 JH; 149 JS; 150 PS; 151 PS; 152 RP; 153 JS;
154 JS; 28 ML; 10 ADB; 156 ShW; 25 MS; 54 IR; 55 TR; 56 EWT; 157 MG; 61 RB; 38 ShW; 158
ShW; 159 ShW; 160 ShW; 161 GS; 39 GS; 162 GS; 104 ADB.
Handkea Tissue below spore-sac is spongy. The wall gradually disintegrates when ripe. There is no
false column in the spore-sac. A well-defined border separates the spore-sac from the sterile tissue
underneath.
140
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 20 (2003)