Rosy Earthstar
EN

Rosy Earthstar

Geastrum rufescens

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geastrum_rufescens

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Rosy Earthstar faces severe decline due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited European range. Ancient woodland clearance has eliminated many historical populations, while remaining sites suffer from soil compaction and nutrient enrichment from intensive farming practices. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the delicate moisture and temperature conditions this fungus requires for successful fruiting and spore dispersal.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Rosy Earthstar inhabits ancient deciduous woodlands, particularly beech and oak forests with well-drained, calcareous soils. It typically occurs in undisturbed woodland edges and clearings where leaf litter accumulates and soil conditions remain stable.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Geastraceae

Geastrum melanocephalumEN

Geastrum melanocephalum

Unknown
Field EarthstarVU

Field Earthstar

Geastrum campestre

Unknown
Tiny EarthstarVU

Tiny Earthstar

Geastrum minimum

Unknown
Sessile EarthstarVU

Sessile Earthstar

Geastrum fimbriatum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Rosy Earthstar classified as Endangered?
Rosy Earthstar is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Rosy Earthstar faces severe decline due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited European range. Ancient woodland clearance has eliminated many historical populations, while remaining sites suffer from soil compaction and nutrient enrichment from intensive farming practices. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the delicate moisture and temperature conditions this fungus requires for successful fruiting and spore dispersal.
Where does Rosy Earthstar live?
Rosy Earthstar occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Rosy Earthstar?
The main threats to Rosy Earthstar are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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