I believe its an Earthstar (Myriostoma). I can't believe how many hundreds of mushrooms there are. Look it up to see if its toxic.

You lucky thing, I think these are great and have only ever found them once. There are good half dozen varieties, in the Geastracea family. Difficult to identify for sure but I'd go for G. vulgatum. They are not harmful in any way but not edible either - but who would be tempted??

I believe this one to the be the collared earthstar (Geastrum Triplex), all it says in my book is that is not edible, so don't eat it.... it is non poisonous and doesn't harm any plants and such so i would suggest to leave them.

Sorry Catty I don't think its triplex. That has a little collar round the nipple shape and the outside rays are in three layers - neither of those characteristics can be seen in this photo. And the rays on Triplex are more square ended while those on vulgatum are pointed. Although triplex is more likely to be a garden and vulgatum is more likely to be in broad leaved woods. But in any case it is a Geastrum and all the Geastrums are quite uncommon so you are lucky to have them.

I'm all confused lol I will put up pictures on my profile of pictures in my mushroom book, will need some help with the different aspects of the earthstars, (want to learn as much as possible).

I would like to thank all who have sent replies to my query. I never expected such a quick response and am so pleased that I joined GrowsonYou. Thanks

Catty which book do you have? I have quite a lot but find the best for identification is usually the Collins as it has more varieties in than the others - although the others have photographs the Collins has drawings that show all the points you need to look for, (including spore prints and chemical tests if you're really into it!)which don't always show up as well in photos. Jordon's encyclopedia has lovely pics but not as many. Phillips is good too but it doesn't have all the earth stars in it. Not sure what's confusing you? If you want to PM me your email address I'll scan the appropriate page for you so you can see what I mean.

I have the Roger Phillips one, and a collins pocket guide one. It's just the photo's in the Phillips one of the Triplex are both different to each other, in one i can see what you pointed out to me yet the other looks like a completely different one, i find all mushrooms fascinating as they just seem so alien looking (not keen on eating them!).

I noticed that in the Phillips. Did you look in the Collins, its much clearer in there. The trouble with photos is that they don't always necessarily show the "ideal" specimen and when a fungus is older or younger not all the features are clearly visible. But in this case in addition to the collar the number of "star points" is crucial - the triplex doesn't have more than 6 according to Collins while the Vulgatum can have as many as nine.

I find them fascinating too, and very frustrating to identify - even when you find what you thought was a perfect specimen its still sometimes impossible to be sure unless you are going in for microscopes and chemistry.

I will have a look, thank you. Yes they are, that is why i am glad i don't like eating them! I have come across so many different species, including coral and i really could spend hours just looking at them!

You'll understand why I got so excited a few years ago when I found some scarlet little elf caps in a shady spot behind the shed!

Wow! I have never had any mushrooms in my garden :( I came across a magpie ink cap in the woods but i am as of yet to still see a stink horn, would love to see one with the "netting". Ah the wonders of nature!

I've never seen a magpie inkcap but have eaten shaggy ink caps - OH quite likes them with grilled bacon but I found the taste a bit insipid and wouldn't bother again.
I have seen stinkhorns a couple of times though. Best ones for eating have been the giant puffball (one find only) and the parasol, which grows on the cliffs here in August- but it has such a short season we usually miss it. makes much better soup than ordinary mushrooms!

As i said I'm not overly keen on the eating but have tried beefsteak and chicken of the woods. The beefsteak was awful for me, taste and texture! Chicken of the woods not too bad, better texture, really want to find another giant puffball and do a recipe i found for a puffball burger. It sounded so yummy :)