Geastrum triplex is an inedible species of fungus belonging to the genus Geastrum, or earthstar fungi. First described in 1840 as Geaster triplex, several authors have suggested that Geastrum indicum, described in 1832, is the legitimate name for the species. Immature fruit bodies are spherical—somewhat resembling puffballs with pointed beaks—and are partially or completely buried in the ground. As the fungus matures, the outer layer of tissue (the exoperidium) splits into four to eight pointed segments which spread outwards and downwards, lifting and exposing the spherical inner spore sac. The spore sac contains the gleba, a mass of spores and fertile mycelial tissue that when young is white and firm, but ages to become brown and powdery. The species is the largest of the earthstar fungi, with a tip to tip length of an expanded mature specimen reaching up to 12 centimeters (4.7 in). Geastrum triplex is a common and widespread species found in the detritus and leaf litter of hardwood forests in many parts of the world, including Asia, Australasia, Europe, and both North and South America. Fruit bodies have been analyzed chemically to determine their lipid content, and various chemical derivatives of the fungal sterol ergosterol have been identified. The fungus has a history of use in the traditional medicines of native North America and China.
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_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1330:
The Battle of Posada between Basarab I of Wallachia and Charles I Robert of Hungary began near the present-day border of Oltenia and Severin, Romania. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Posada
1888:
Mary Jane Kelly was murdered in London, widely believed to be the fifth and final victim of the notorious unidentified serial killer Jack the Ripper. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Jane_Kelly
1938:
Kristallnacht began in Nazi Germany as a part of Adolf Hitler's anti-Semitic policy, leading to the murder of over 90 Jews, and the arrest and deportation of over 25,000 others to concentration camps. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristallnacht
1953:
Cambodia gained independence from France and became a constitutional monarchy under King Norodom Sihanouk. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodia
1967:
French comic book heroes Valérian and Laureline first appeared in the pages of Pilote magazine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val%C3%A9rian_and_Laureline
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
unmask (v): 1. To remove a mask from someone. 2. To expose, or reveal the true character of someone http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/unmask
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