Medicinal Monday - the "Star" of the Show- "Earth Stars!"

Earthstars are a charming fungus that looks like they should be found on a coral reef and not in the woods. There are 120 species of earthstars with one of the most common being the Geastrum triplex. Native Americans found several uses for this small and unusual-looking mushroom. 

About Earth Stars

Geastrum triplex is an inedible fungus found in the leaves of hardwood forests or on rotted tree stumps.  It can be found on every continent in the world except Antarctica and is the largest of the genus Geastrum.  This fungus derives nutrients from decomposing organic matter. Immature fruit bodies of this mushroom resemble puffballs only this fungus has a pointed top and is partially buried in the ground. As the fungus matures the outer layer called the exoperidium splits into four to eight-pointed segments that spread outward and downward forming a star shape and exposing the egg-shaped inner spore sac.  The spore sac contains a mass of spores called the gleba and fertile mycelial tissue that is white and firm when young but turns brown and powdery as the mushroom ages. The outer layer often splits around the perimeter of the spore sac so that it appears to be sitting in a saucer. The top of the spore sac is pointed and has a tiny hole at the top from which spores are released. The round spores are quite small and brown or cinnamon in color.

Medicinal Uses

Earthstars are used medicinally by Native Americans. The Blackfoot called them ka-ka-toos, meaning "fallen stars", and according to legend, they were an indication of supernatural events. The Cherokee put fruit bodies on the navels of babies after childbirth until the withered umbilical cord fell off, "both as a prophylactic and a therapeutic measure" The Tewa in the desert of the southwest blew ripe spores into the ears of infected patients to cleanse and heal ear and hearing disorders.

Did You Know...
Geastrum triplex is also called the collared earthstar, the saucered earthstar, or the triple earthstar.

The name triplex refers to the three-layer peridium or outer skin found on the fruiting body of a fungus.

In Chinese medicine, earthstars were used to treat inflammation in the respiratory tract and to staunch bleeding, and reduce swelling.

A recent study found that Geastrum triplex has a relatively high antibacterial activity.