Many-rooted Earthball

Scleroderma polyrhizum

Summary 2

Scleroderma polyrhizum, commonly known as the star earthball or dead man's hand, is a basidiomycete fungus and a member of the genus Scleroderma, or "earthballs". Found in dry, sandy soils, this species begins completely buried before slowly forcing the soil aside as it cracks apart to form a rough, star-shaped body with a diameter of 12–15 cm (4.7–5.9 in). At the center is the dark, brownish spore mass. Widely distributed wherever the soil and climate are favor

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) Sarah Gregg, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/wild-eyes/9931655035/
  2. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scleroderma_polyrhizum

More Info

iNat Map