Collared Earthstar - Geastrum triplex

Fruit body 3 to 5cm across when unopened and bulb-shaped, opening to 5 to 10cm across, outer wall splitting into 4 to 8 pointed rays and covered in a thick, pinkish-brown. The fleshy layer cracks as the rays bend back under the fruit body leaving the spore sac sitting in a saucer-like base. Spore sac sessile, pale grey-brown with a paler ring round the slightly raised mouth.

Amongst leaf litter in deciduous woods and well wooded places

Found from late summer and autumn, the spent fruiting body often persisting.

Fairly frequent in Britain with most records coming from England.

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.