Astraeus hygrometricus
Approximately 1 species in Santa Cruz County.
Astraeus Records from Santa Cruz County:
Astraeus are distinctively shaped mushrooms quite similar in appearance to the unrelated species of Geastrum, but have a much tougher texture, and persist for much longer, repeatedly opening and closing in response to available moisture. Ectomycorrhizal with oaks.
Important identification characters: identification straightforward. Fruitbodies similar to Geastrum, but not hygroscopic, tougher and woodier.