July 6, 2020

Location: Vero Beach, Pelican Island NWR

This is a Hygroscopic Earthstar
Hygroscopic means "attract moisture from the air"
The rays open and close around the puffball,
Like the Wolf-fart puffball, which is shaped like a pear.

Note: Wolf-fart puffball is my new favorite fungi. And I didn't make it up - check the linked article!

Sources: Astraeus hygrometricus and its various Aspests By: Dr Nadia, Yawar Hayat (Hazara University Mansehra)

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson