‘Hissing’ mushroom found only three places on Earth spotted in Texas park, officials say
The rare Texas Star Mushroom has been spotted once again at Inks Lake State Park, officials announced in a Dec. 18 Facebook post.
“The fungus is entirely unique to Texas, with the exception of the odd sighting in Oklahoma, and around Kyushu, Japan, making it one of the rarest mushrooms in the world,” officials noted in February, the last time the mushroom was spotted in the park.
Chorioactis geaster, as it’s known by its scientific name, appears in late fall and emerges as a 3-4 inch brown capsule, earning it the nickname the “Devil’s Cigar.”
It is said to emit a hissing noise as it unfurls into its signature star shape and releases a cloud of spores.
Texas Star Mushrooms, which attach themselves to decaying cedar elm stumps, have been found in just 16 counties in central and northern Texas, researchers at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas said.
Researchers said it’s possible only a few hundred people have ever seen the Texas Star Mushroom.
In 2021, chorioactis geaster became the official state mushroom of Texas.
Inks Lake State Park is located about 70 miles northwest of Austin.
This story was originally published December 21, 2023 at 8:31 AM with the headline "‘Hissing’ mushroom found only three places on Earth spotted in Texas park, officials say."
