Astraeus hygrometricus, the false earthstar, is a fungus common in temperate and tropical regions around the world. When young, it resembles a puffball; in maturity, the outer layer of fruit body tissue splits open in a star shape, similar in appearance to the earthstars. The fungus grows in mutual symbiosis with roots of various trees, especially in sandy soils. It can open up its rays to expose the spore sac in response to increased humidity, and close them up again in drier conditions. The rays have an irregularly cracked surface, while the spore case is pale brown and smooth with an irregular slit or tear at the top. The gleba is white initially, but turns brown and powdery when the reddish-brown spores mature. The species was first described by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon in 1801. Several bioactive chemical compounds have been found in the fruit bodies. North American field guides typically rate the fungus as inedible.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astraeus_hygrometricus
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1789:
The Brabant Revolution, sometimes considered as the first expression of Belgian nationalism, began with the invasion of the Austrian Netherlands by an émigré army from the Dutch Republic. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brabant_Revolution
1857:
Sheffield F.C., the world's oldest association football club still in operation, was founded. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheffield_F.C.
1871:
The largest mass lynching in United States history took place when around 500 white rioters entered Chinatown in Los Angeles to attack, rob, and murder its residents. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_massacre_of_1871
1944:
World War II: The Imperial Japanese battleship Musashi, one of the heaviest and most powerfully armed ever constructed, was sunk in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_battleship_Musashi
1964:
The military court of South Vietnamese junta chief Nguyễn Khánh acquitted Generals Dương Văn Đức and Lâm Văn Phát of leading a coup attempt against Khanh, despite the pair's proclamation of his overthrow during their military action. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A2m_V%C4%83n_Ph%C3%A1t
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
illeism: (often linguistics) The practice of (excessively) referring to oneself in the third person. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/illeism
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
Perform anonymous service. Whenever we do good for others anonymously, our sense of intrinsic worth and self-respect increases. … Selfless service has always been one of the most powerful methods of influence. --Stephen Covey https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Stephen_Covey