The Collared Earthstar Geastrum triplex starts off as a closed, round fruiting body that resembles a puffball. As it matures, the outer layer peels back to reveal a star-shaped structure which gives it the appearance of a starfish. When the fruiting body is mature and the outer layer peels back, it exposes the inner chamber and releases the spores into the surrounding environment for dispersal. It is a saprotrophic species, obtaining its nutrients by decomposing dead organic matter, and as such is a vital part of forest ecosystems.
Alex Hyde is one of Britain’s leading exponents of close-up nature photography. His award-winning images portray a hidden world of extraordinary beauty. “To this day I delight in revealing tiny details of subjects that would be missed by the naked eye. Many of my pictures involve photographing moving subjects smaller than a grain of rice. Nature provides me with an endless array of fascinating subjects.”
Join our mail list to stay in touch with announcements, special discounts and news from the natural world.
