Field Earthstar vs Schwarzköpfiger Haarstern

Geastrum campestre compared with Geastrum melanocephalum

Key Differences

• Field Earthstar is Critically Endangered while Schwarzköpfiger Haarstern is Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Field Earthstar	Schwarzköpfiger Haarstern
Kingdom same	Fungi (Pilze)	Fungi (Pilze)
Phylum same	Basidiomycota (Ständerpilze)	Basidiomycota (Ständerpilze)
Class same	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order same	Geastrales (Geastrales)	Geastrales (Geastrales)
Family same	Geastraceae	Geastraceae
Genus same	Geastrum	Geastrum
Species	Geastrum campestre	Geastrum melanocephalum

Evolutionary Relationship

Field Earthstar and Schwarzköpfiger Haarstern share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Geastrum.

Conservation Status

Field Earthstar

CR — Critically Endangered

Schwarzköpfiger Haarstern

EN — Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Field Earthstar	Schwarzköpfiger Haarstern
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Field Earthstar

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and Mediterranean forests and woodlands within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries). Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Schwarzköpfiger Haarstern

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Schwarzköpfiger Haarstern

Geastrum melanocephalum is an earthstar fungus in the family Geastraceae, assessed as Endangered (EN). It produces distinctive star-shaped fruiting bodies with a dark-capped spore sac and is found in stable, undisturbed grassland and woodland edge habitats. Its endangered status reflects sensitivity to habitat disturbance and the decline of traditional land management practices.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden