Chorioactis geaster in Texas (Tim Jones)

Chorioactis geaster is a rare gasteromycete apparently found in only Texas and Japan (go figure). Forrest Mims is a Texas-based science writer interested in this unusual fungus and his article Texas Star fungus a rare, wonderful sight provides an update.

In 1998, my wife Minnie saw one of the rarest sights in all of Texas when she saw a white plume that resembled smoke jetting from our back yard on a cool November morning. When we investigated, we found a beautiful star-shaped fungus where the plume had originated. We had no idea what the fungus was named, but Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine answered the question. The magazine had arrived only a few days before, and it included an article about the devil’s cigar (or Texas star) and photographs of fungi identical to ours.

More on Chorioactis geaster:

Chorioactis geaster at Wikipedia

The Devil’s Cigar

The Texas Star

How rare is the devil’s cigar?

And Mims has posted a very short video of the fungus…