Exploding Mushrooms? Fungi ID PLEASE!!!

Pendula

We have an old cedar tree in the yard and today I walked outside and stepped on what appeared to be a flower shaped mushroom. It popped open and a brown, thick smoke came out of it! Should I worry about these? I have kids that play out there and concerned because there are so many of them.



Note: They have no stems like a mushroom does and the rounded "pod" in the middle is the part that bursts. Also, there are a ton of millipedes under them.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Attached Images

	August 2009 029.jpg (279.5 KB, 940 views)
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Pendula

Another pic I forgot to attach.

Attached Images

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Sean Freeman

You have posted pictures of Geastrum sp quite possibly Geastrum triplex or collared earthstar fungi.

They are not edible and some people do have a sensitivity to the spores which can be forced out when they are trodden on as you describe.

I would not personally think that they should be considered a significant risk to your children but direct inhailation of the spores could cause problems.

They are mycorrhizal so are one of the (very many) good guy fungi in terms of their relationship to trees.

__________________
Sean

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We fell them down and turn them into paper,
That we may record our emptiness.
- Kahlil Gibran


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