Family: Sclerodermataceae

Scientific name: Scleroderma cepa

Common Name: Earthball

Distribution: Common in mixed forest partially buried in the ground around Autumn.

General Information: Up to 60mm in diametre, either on its own or in small clusters. After aging, the skin splits into outcurving arms similar to an "earth star" exposing a spore mass inside.

Specimen: Small clusters found in Eucalyptus leaf litter 5.3.06 on the Paten Track, Mt Coot-tha, Brisbane.

Source: Fuhrer, B 2005 A field guide to Australian fungi, Bloomings Books, Melbourne.

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