Geaster
or GEASTRUM (so called from the stellate appearance of the species when burst and lying on the ground), in botany, earth stars; a genus of gasteromycetous fungi, sub-order Trichogastres. It was formed by Micheli to include the puffballs, having a stellated volva. They are small fungi, often of a brown color. G. hygrometricus, as the name implies, readily absorbs and retains moisture.