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 Eurasia and the Americas.
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Is it poisonous?
Considered toxic. Public sources list it as such; we have not verified this individually. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Scleroderma meridionale
- Geastrum melanocephalum
- Astraeus pteridis
- Scleroderma cepa — considered toxic
- Mycenastrum corium
Classification
- Kingdom
- Fungi
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Boletales
- Family
- Sclerodermataceae
- Genus
- Scleroderma
- Species
- Scleroderma polyrhizum
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