Exoperidium revolute, cut to about the middle in eight to ten segments. Both mycelial and fleshy layers are more closely adherent than in most species. Pedicel short and thick. Inner peridium subglobose, verrucose. Mouth conical, beaked, strongly sulcate, seated on a depressed zone. Columella prominent, persistent. Capillitium threads simple, long tapering. Spores globose, rough.
The characteristic of this plant is the verrucose inner peridium. Under a glass of low power it appears as though the peridium were densely covered with grains of sharp sand. This plant alone has this characteristic, to our knowledge; and although it is indicated in the figures of G. cornatus of both Schaeffer and Schmidel, we think that there it is only an exaggeration of the very minute granular appearance cornatus has. The word "asper" is the first descriptive adjective applied by Michelius. Fries included it in his complex striatus. Lloyd.
I have found the plant frequently about Chillicothe. The plants represented were photographed by Mr. Lloyd.
Geaster triplex. Jung.
Plate LXVI. Figure 486.—Geaster triplex.
The unexpanded plant acute. Exoperidium recurved (or, when not fully expanded, somewhat saccate at base), cut to the middle (or usually two-thirds) in five to eight segments. Mycelial layer adnate. Fleshy layer generally peeling off from the segments of the fibrillose layer but usually remaining partially free, as a cup at base of inner peridium. Inner peridium subglobose, closely sessile. Mouth definite, fibrillose, broadly conical. Columella prominent, elongated. Threads thicker than spores. Spores globose, roughened, 3–6 mc. Lloyd, in Mycological Notes.
The color of Geaster triplex is reddish-brown. Notice the remains of a fleshy layer forming a cup at base of inner peridium, a point which distinguishes this species and which gives name to the species—triplex, three folds or apparently three layers. The photograph was made by Dr. Kellerman.