Geastrum fornicatum (Huds.) Fr. Nest-Erdstern Géastre en voûte, Arched Earthstar. Fruit body 1-2.5cm across; comprises a brownish central globose spore sac with a fringed apical pore, borne on a short stem, and carried clear of the surrounding leaf litter on 4 tall, narrow, downward-pointing rays standing on the tips of 4 similar but shorter, broader, upward-pointing rays which form a mycelial mat or cuplike structure at the base of the fungus. Spore mass firm; white becoming blackish brown and powdery. Spores globose, warted, dark brown, 3.5-4.5 x 3.5-4.5µ. Habitat scattered or in dense groups in leaf litter, humus, or organic debris in woods, near stables, or on rubbish or waste ground. Found in Europe and quite common in the Southwest of north America but rare elsewhere. Found widely distributed in North America. Season October-March. Not edible.