''Astraeus smithii'' is a species of false earthstar in the family

Diplocystaceae Diplocystaceae (alternatively spelled Diplocystidaceae or Diplocystidiaceae) is a family of fungi in the Boletales order. The family was described by mycologist Hanns Kreisel Hanns Kreisel (16 July 1931 – 18 January 2017) was a German mycol ...

. It was described as new to science in 2013. The

specific epithet In Taxonomy (biology), taxonomy, binomial nomenclature ("two-term naming system"), also called binary nomenclature, is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, both of which use Latin gramm ...

honors American mycologist

Alexander H. Smith Alexander Hanchett Smith (December 12, 1904 – December 12, 1986) was an American mycologist known for his extensive contributions to the taxonomy and phylogeny of the higher fungi, especially the agarics. Early life Smith, born in Crandon, Wis ...

. The fungus is found in the central and northern United States, where it grows on the ground at forest edges and open areas.

References

External links

* Boletales Fungi described in 2013 Fungi of the United States Fungi without expected TNC conservation status Fungus species {{Boletales-stub