Geastrum triplex

Overview

The traditional diagnosis describes pointed outer rays surrounding a brown, stalkless spore sac. A broken fleshy collar persists around its base. The pore occupies a pale silky zone. These features describe a historical morphological concept, not proof of a particular genetic lineage.

Kasuya and colleagues compared ITS, LSU and atp6 sequences from 144 Geastrales specimens. Collections tentatively called G. triplex formed multiple evolutionary groups. European and North American material was close to G. melanocephalum; the study therefore rejected a simple worldwide species interpretation.

The scientific name originated from Java. In the 2012 study, geographic variation and unreliable individual morphological characters motivated molecular comparison. A collar alone cannot establish ancestry, and a field illustration cannot resolve the name’s species boundaries.

Origins & earliest records

Junghuhn published the Java name in 1840; this is a nomenclatural date, not an evolutionary age.

Evidence & interpretation

The retained 2012 paper supplies sampling and phylogenetic scope. Landcare retains the traditional diagnosis while flagging misapplied New Zealand records.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Phylogenetic placement of Geastrum melanocephalum and polyphyly of Geastrum triplex

   Taiga Kasuya and colleagues · 2012

   Mycoscience 53:411–426.

2. 02

   Geastrum triplex

   Manaaki Whenua · 2025

   Retained Cunningham diagnosis; current name record.

Family, evolution & connections

Taxonomic classification

A hierarchy of classified groups, not a chain of direct ancestors.

Source note: The name is retained with unresolved species boundaries; no new phylogeny is computed.

1. KingdomFungi
2. PhylumBasidiomycota
3. ClassAgaricomycetes
4. OrderGeastrales
5. FamilyGeastraceae
6. GenusGeastrum

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Primary research2012 phylogenetic studyResearch access: 2026-10-11
2. Institutional taxonomyBiota of NZResearch access: 2026-10-11

Image credits

AI collared earthstar: rays, collar and sessile sac.

AI interpretation of traditional collared-earthstar morphology; not a genetically identified specimen.