Collared Earthstar vs Elegant Earthstar

Geastrum triplex compared with Geastrum elegans

Key Differences

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

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Collared Earthstar	Elegant Earthstar
Kingdom same	Fungi (菌界)	Fungi (菌界)
Phylum same	Basidiomycota (担子菌門)	Basidiomycota (担子菌門)
Class same	Agaricomycetes (真正担子菌綱)	Agaricomycetes (真正担子菌綱)
Order same	Geastrales (ヒメツチグリ目)	Geastrales (ヒメツチグリ目)
Family same	Geastraceae	Geastraceae
Genus same	Geastrum	Geastrum
Species	Geastrum triplex	Geastrum elegans

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Collared Earthstar

NT — Near Threatened

Elegant Earthstar

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Collared Earthstar

Habitat

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

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Brazil, Norway, and United States. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

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.

Collared Earthstar

<em>Geastrum triplex</em>, the Collared Earthstar, is a gasteroid fungus in the family Geastraceae, order Geastrales. This species is assessed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it may be at risk of qualifying for a threatened category in the near future. It has been recorded in Belgium, Brazil, Norway, and the United States, and is associated with forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil. Earthstars in the genus <em>Geastrum</em> are recognized by their distinctive star-shaped fruiting bodies, formed when the outer wall splits and folds back into ray-like segments to reveal an inner spore sac. <em>Geastrum triplex</em> is distinguished by the formation of a collar or cup-like structure around the base of the inner spore sac, which gives rise to its common name. Like other gasteroid fungi, it disperses spores through an apical pore in the spore sac. Population estimates and trend data are not available. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature. Its Near Threatened status may reflect sensitivity to habitat disturbance and forest management practices.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇧🇷 Brazil 🇳🇴 Norway