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Many-Rooted Earthball Scleroderma geaster

Previously known as:

  • Scleroderma polyrhizum
Phonetic Spelling
sklayr-oh-DER-muh jee-AZ-ter
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

The size, thickness, and firmness of the fruiting body of dead man's hand make this a readily identifiable fungus. The rind (covering over the spore mass inside) is so thick it frequently is intact months after all the spores are gone. This fungus is also known to crack asphalt on driveways and tennis courts as the fruiting bodies develop.

The fruiting bodies are large, roundish in shape, up to 5-6 inches in diameter, tan to tannish brown and breaking up into large scale-like patches upon expansion.  They will spit into irregular starlike lobes or rays, usually with 4-6 rays. The peridium or rind is very thick and tan.  The Gleba (interior or spore mass) is marbled purple-brown even when very young, becoming blackish-brown and dusty as the spores mature.

This plant can be found throughout North Carolina, but more frequently in the Piedmont on exposed clay or sandy soil, especially road banks.  It grows in a forest or natural area or landscape.  Singly or often in groups of 3-4 fruiting bodies and frequently with 2 or 3 fruiting bodies fused on exposed clay or sandy soil, occasionally in lawns.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#poisonous mushrooms#mushrooms
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#poisonous mushrooms#mushrooms
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Scleroderma
    Species:
    geaster
    Family:
    Sclerodermataceae
    Distribution:
    North America, Euorpe, Asia, South America, Oceania
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Mushroom
    Poisonous
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Cream/Tan
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Large, tan-brown, roundish in shape, 5-6"
  • Leaves:
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    The patient may experience gastrointestinal upset including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps. Symptoms may appear within 30-45 minutes following ingestion.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unknown
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits
    Roots