Genus species (Fungi): Geastrum campestre

Geastrum campestre is an inedible species of mushroom belonging to the genus Geastrum, or earthstar fungi.

Geastrum violaceum is a small but easy to recognize saprotrophic species, described in 1906 from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil and it has been found almost exclusively in preserved areas from tropical to subtropical humid forest and some records are from flooded savannas and humid chaco. The distribution of the species is relatively large and it is estimated that it could be found in other subtropical or tropical humid forests throughout America. The few records of this species, despite searching in appropriate habitats in areas regularly studied by taxonomists suggest that the species is rare. It is not possible to infer population trends due to the limited number of records and the distance among of collections. The species is assessed as Data Deficient.

Habitat and ecology

Geastum violaceum is a saprofitic small species that grows in small groups preferably in subtropical or tropical humid forest, but it has also been found in dry habitats such as the Dry forest in Argentina and Mexico. It is easy to recognize in the field due to its pinkish, purplish to violet color. Most records correspond to protected areas therefore it could be inferred that the species requirements include pristine areas.

Threats

The treats to the species are similar throughout its distribution: deforestation in humid tropical, subtropical forest of Brazil and Paraguay or temperate rainforest of Mexico; for dry ecoregions like the chaco in Argentina or Caatinga in Brazil the desertification due to cattle farming, wild fires, and climate change, along with high rates of deforestation threaten the species.

Reference: Wikipedia, Catalogue of Life, redlist.info
Synonym: Geastrum violaceum 
Photo: iNaturalist (Marquinhos Aventureiro), iNaturalist (Clarice Dorocinski)