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…

The All Japan Judo Federation is sounding a warning that an epidemic of a skin- and hair-affecting fungus may ruin the traditional Japanese martial arts of judo and sumo. “The federation has become worried about the situation,” said dermatology researcher Seitaro Hiruma of Juntendo University in Tokyo. “Now they are saying that if they leave this infection unchecked it will ruin Japanese judo.”

The culprit is Trichophyton tonsurans, a fungus that is common on human skin. Infections result in red itchy patches on the upper body. It also infects the scalp and hair, and in severe cases can cause hair loss.

More:

Japanese scratching their heads over fungus that is killing judo

Outbreak of tinea corporis gladiatorum, a fungal skin infection due to Trichophyton tonsurans, in a French high level judo team

Tinea corporis

Trichophyton tonsurans

Trichophyton tonsurans is yet another Wikipedia stub needing improvement.