earthstar

[ urth-stahr ]

noun

1. a fungus of the genus Geaster, having an outer covering that splits into the form of a star.
2. any of various bromeliads of the genus Cryptanthus, native to Brazil, having rosettes of stiff, prickly leaves.

earthstar

/ ˈɜːθˌstɑː /

noun

1. any of various basidiomycetous saprotrophic woodland fungi of the genus Geastrum, whose brown onion-shaped reproductive body splits into a star shape to release the spores

Word History and Origins

Origin of earthstar¹

First recorded in 1810–20; earth + star