Sessile Earthstar or Rounded Earthstar
This very distinctive Basidiomycete fungus is a member of the Geastraceae in the order Geastrales. It has a very cosmopolitan distribution, including throughout North America. It is attached by a cord to the substrate of woody debris or forest floor duff. Initially it has an egg shape, with two skin layers. Then the outer layer splits, pushed apart by a buildup of calcium oxalate crystals in the inner skin layer. The flaps then recurve to form 5-8 rays, surrounding a central fruitbody that is loaded with white white gleba which will mature into billions of brown spores that escape through a pore at the top. The central pore is surrounded by a circular depression, setting it apart from some similar species. The rays are cream to yellowish brown to golden tan. The fungus has no stalk. It is without discernible odor and is not considered edible. Depicted in this photo is a young specimen that has not yet released spores.