Geastrum melanocephalum
EN

Geastrum melanocephalum

Local name: Schwarzköpfiger Haarstern

Unknown

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

Overview

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

Geastrum melanocephalum faces severe population decline due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited European range. The species' dependence on specific soil chemistry and mycorrhizal relationships makes it particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation and changes in land management practices. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture and temperature conditions essential for spore germination and fruiting body development.

Threat summary

Habitat

This earthstar fungus inhabits deciduous and mixed forests with calcareous soils, particularly beech and oak woodlands with rich leaf litter. It requires specific soil pH conditions and established mycorrhizal networks, typically fruiting in undisturbed forest floor environments.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Geastraceae

Field EarthstarVU

Field Earthstar

Geastrum campestre

Unknown
Tiny EarthstarVU

Tiny Earthstar

Geastrum minimum

Unknown
Sessile EarthstarVU

Sessile Earthstar

Geastrum fimbriatum

Unknown
VU

Striated Earthstar

Geastrum striatum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Schwarzköpfiger Haarstern classified as Endangered?
Schwarzköpfiger Haarstern 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. Geastrum melanocephalum faces severe population decline due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited European range. The species' dependence on specific soil chemistry and mycorrhizal relationships makes it particularly vulnerable to forest fragmentation and changes in land management practices. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the moisture and temperature conditions essential for spore germination and fruiting body development.
Where does Schwarzköpfiger Haarstern live?
Schwarzköpfiger Haarstern 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 Schwarzköpfiger Haarstern?
The main threats to Schwarzköpfiger Haarstern 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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