Elegant Earthstar vs Tiny Earthstar

Geastrum elegans compared with Geastrum minimum

Key Differences

• Elegant Earthstar is Critically Endangered while Tiny Earthstar is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Elegant Earthstar	Tiny Earthstar
Kingdom same	Fungi (Fungi)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum same	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class same	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order same	Geastrales (Geastrales)	Geastrales (Geastrales)
Family same	Geastraceae	Geastraceae
Genus same	Geastrum	Geastrum
Species	Geastrum elegans	Geastrum minimum

Evolutionary Relationship

Elegant Earthstar and Tiny Earthstar share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Geastrum.

Conservation Status

Elegant Earthstar

CR — Critically Endangered

Tiny Earthstar

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Elegant Earthstar	Tiny Earthstar
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Elegant Earthstar

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 5 distinct biome types within the Neotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

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

Tiny Earthstar

Habitat

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

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (4 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Brazil). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇧🇷 Brazil 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway