The Geastrum genus, belonging to Geastrales, Geastraceae, is a cosmopolitan, saprophytic mushroom. The gastroid species is well known as earthstars due to the characteristic splitting appearance of exoperidium at mature stage, thus giving a star-like morphology. Several Geastrum species have been reported worldwide, including 28 species from India. The Geastrum species have been previously reported from Indian states, including Gujarat, Western Ghats, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. However, Geastrum saccatum Fries, also known as sessile earthstar with high medicinal properties, has been reported from Gujarat and Western Ghats, but none have been recorded from Rajasthan, India. The objective of the present study is to report, identify, and study the morphological characters of G. saccatum Fr. from Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India. The identification was conducted based on morphological and microscopical characters, with further confirmation from previous literature data. The sample collection and research were conducted in the monsoon season (June-September) 2025 for a larger macrofungal community study. The future perspective focuses on the advanced molecular characterization with beneficial uses in sectors including agriculture and industry.

Ajmer, Geastrum saccatum, Geastrales, Mushrooms, Rajasthan

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Ojha S, Pareek A. 2025. Earthstar (Geastrum sp., Agaricomycetes; Geastrales): First distribution report and morphological study of Geastrum saccatum Fries from Rajasthan, India. Journal on New Biological Reports 14 (1): 34 – 39.