is very similar in shape to the Giant puff-ball, but is very much smaller; it lacks a stalk, being attached to the substrate only by mycelial cords. It commences white, but then darkens to become purplish brown at maturity when it also breaks from its moorings and rolls about in the wind.
The last three species are found on heaths, in pastures or on the ground in woods.
Illustrations: C. gigantea—Hvass 312; LH 217; NB 371; WD 1097. B. nigrescens—Hvass 311; LH 219; NB 373.
Plate 63. Puff-Balls
![[Larger illustration]](#467779198995390083_illo191lg.png.id-4191385305543874619.wrap-0.html.html){kind=link}
Earth-stars and Earth-balls
The earth-stars, i.e. species of Geastrum, are closely related to the puff-balls, but differ in having two very distinct and separate enclosing walls, the outer one splitting at maturity to expose a ‘puff-ball’ within; an example of the genus is G. triplex Jungh, found in parks or under beech trees or G. rufescens Pers. ([illustrated]) in mixed woodland. The outer skin splits in different ways in different species: in some it splits like a star—hence the common name of Earth-star, in some the spore-mass is raised as if on stilts. There are several species of Geastrum recorded for Britain, but they are decidedly uncommon.
The Earth-balls are, however, far from uncommon and may be met with from early summer until late autumn in any wood particularly those on sandy soils. They are unrelated to the earth-stars.