Synonyms: Actigea sicula, Lycoperdon polyrhizum, Sclerangium polyrhizon, Scleroderma geaster.
Common names: Dead Man's Hand, Earthstar Scleroderma, Many-rooted Earthball.
Extract from Wikipedia article: Scleroderma polyrhizum, commonly known as the star earthball or dead man's hand, is a basidiomycete fungus and a member of the genus Scleroderma, or "earthballs". Found in dry, sandy soils, this species begins completely buried before slowly forcing the soil aside as it cracks apart to form a rough, star-shaped body with a diameter of 12–15 cm (4.7–5.9 in). At the center is the dark, brownish spore mass. Widely distributed wherever the soil and climate are favorable, it is known from Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Catalan: Pota de cavall estrellada, Russian: Ложнодождевик звёздчатый, Ukrainian: Склеродерма зірчаста.
Scleroderma polyrhizum is a type of earthball fungus that grows underground or partially submerged in soil. In East and Central Texas, it typically fruits from summer to fall, producing brown to purple-brown, spherical to irregularly shaped fruiting bodies that are 2-8 cm in diameter. The outer surface is often covered in short, stiff hairs, and the interior contains a powdery, spore-bearing tissue. It can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and along roadsides, often associated with oak, pine, or other tree species.
Star eathball mushrooms (Scleroderma polyrhizum) on a lawn near Robinson Ferry Road in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 28, 2019
23400 Park Rd 12, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Mature star eathball mushrooms (Scleroderma polyrhizum) on a lawn near Robinson Ferry Road in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 28, 201923400 Park Rd 12, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Dissected star eathball mushrooms (Scleroderma polyrhizum) on a lawn near Robinson Ferry Road in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 28, 201923400 Park Rd 12, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Split mature star eathball mushrooms (Scleroderma polyrhizum) on a lawn near Robinson Ferry Road in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 28, 201923400 Park Rd 12, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Mature star eathball mushrooms (Scleroderma polyrhizum) on a lawn near Texas Avenue in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, December 29, 20192603 Texas Ave S, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Bluebonnet seedling with star eathball mushroom (Scleroderma polyrhizum) on a lawn near Robinson Ferry Road in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, January 5, 202023400 Park Rd 12, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Star eathball mushrooms (Scleroderma polyrhizum) on a lawn near Ferry Road in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, January 18, 202023400 Park Rd 12, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Hatching star eathball mushrooms (Scleroderma polyrhizum) on a lawn in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, January 18, 202023400 Park Rd 12, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Tough earthball mushrooms Scleroderma polyrhizum(?) on an old road on Lone Star Hiking Trail near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, August 5, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Cross section of tough earthball mushrooms Scleroderma polyrhizum(?) on an old road on Lone Star Hiking Trail near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, August 5, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Dissected false puffball mushroom Scleroderma polyrhizum(?) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, August 13, 2021Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Cross section of a false puffball mushroom Scleroderma polyrhizum(?) on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, August 13, 2021Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Dissected earthball mushrooms Scleroderma polyrhizum(?) on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, October 16, 2021Lone Star Hiking Trail, Cleveland, TX 77328, USA
Young earthball mushrooms Scleroderma polyrhizum(?) on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, October 16, 2021Lone Star Hiking Trail, San Jacinto County, Texas, 77328, United States
Cross section of earthball mushrooms Scleroderma polyrhizum(?) on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, October 16, 2021Lone Star Hiking Trail, Cleveland, TX 77328, USA
Remains of 5 mm thick outer skin of a giant mature mushroom Scleroderma polyrhizum(?) on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, February 4, 2024Lone Star Hiking Trail, Walker County, Texas, United States
Tissues under a microscope at low magnification of outer skin of a giant mature mushroom Scleroderma polyrhizum(?) collected on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, February 4, 2024
Hyphae under a microscope of outer skin of a giant mature mushroom Scleroderma polyrhizum(?) collected on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, February 4, 2024
Mature false puffball mushroom Scleroderma polyrhizum(?) on a lawn in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, February 7, 2024Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, 23400, Park Road 12, Washington, Washington County, Texas, 77880, United States
Gasteroid mushroom Scleroderma polyrhizum(?) in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, May 17, 2024Lost Pines Trail, Bastrop County, Texas, United States
Side view of a gasteroid mushroom Scleroderma polyrhizum(?) in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, May 17, 2024Lost Pines Trail, Bastrop County, Texas, United States
Mushrooms Scleroderma polyrhizum(?) near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 26, 2024
Side view of mushrooms Scleroderma polyrhizum near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 26, 2024
Section of mushrooms Scleroderma polyrhizum near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 26, 2024
Section of a mushroom Scleroderma polyrhizum when exposed to regular daylight as well as when illuminated by a 365 nm ultraviolet (UV-A) blacklight from Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 26, 2024
Spores (in KOH) of a mushroom Scleroderma polyrhizum collected from Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, September 26, 2024The fungus Scleroderma polyrhizum was observed in East and Central Texas over a period of five years (2019-2024). Multiple sightings were recorded in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, Sam Houston National Forest, and Bastrop State Park. The mushrooms were found on lawns, trails, and roads, often in association with trees and other vegetation. Various stages of growth were observed, from young to mature specimens, as well as dissected and cross-sectioned samples. Some observations included microscopic examination of tissues and spores. The fungus was found to fluoresce under UV-A blacklight. The consistent identification of Scleroderma polyrhizum across different locations and times suggests that it is a common species in the region. Overall, these observations provide valuable information on the distribution, habitat, and morphology of this fungus in East and Central Texas.
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