 Astraeus hygrometricus is an ectomycorrhizal fungus and grows in association with a broad range of tree species . The mutualistic association between tree roots and the mycelium of the fungus helps the trees extract nutrients ( particularly phosphorus ) from the earth ; in exchange , the fungus receives carbohydrates from photosynthesis . In North America , associations with oak and pine are usual , while in India , it has been noted to grow commonly with chir pine ( Pinus roxburghii ) and sal ( Shorea robusta ) . The false earthstar is found on the ground in open fields , often scattered or in groups , especially in nutrient @-@ poor , sandy or loamy soils . It has also been reported to grow on rocks , preferring acid substrates like slate and granite , while avoiding substrates rich in lime . In Nepal , fruit bodies have been collected at elevations of 3 @,@ 000 m ( 9 @,@ 800 ft ) . Fruit bodies typically appear in autumn , although the dry fruit bodies are persistent and may last up to several years . Gelatinipulvinella astraeicola is a leotiaceous fungus with minute , gelatinous , pulvinate ( cushion @-@ shaped ) apothecia , known to grow only on the inner surface of the rays of dead Astraeus species , including A. hygrometricus . 
 Astraeus hygrometricus <a href='drop_aux' title='1'><mark>is</mark></a>an ectomycorrhizal fungus and <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>grows</mark></a> in association with a broad range of tree species . The mutualistic association between tree roots and the mycelium of the fungus <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>helps</mark></a> the trees extract nutrients ( particularly phosphorus ) from the earth ; in exchange , the fungus <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>receives</mark></a> carbohydrates from photosynthesis . In North America , associations with oak and pine <a href='drop_aux' title='5'><mark>are</mark></a>usual , while in India , it <a href='been_done' title='6'><mark>has</mark></a> been noted to grow commonly with chir pine ( Pinus roxburghii ) and sal ( Shorea robusta ) . The false earthstar is found on the ground in open fields , often scattered or in groups , especially in nutrient @-@ poor , sandy or loamy soils . It <a href='been_done' title='7'><mark>has</mark></a> also been reported to grow on rocks , preferring acid substrates like slate and granite , while avoiding substrates rich in lime . In Nepal , fruit bodies <a href='been_done' title='8'><mark>have</mark></a> been collected at elevations of 3 @,@ 000 m ( 9 @,@ 800 ft ) . Fruit bodies typically appear in autumn , although the dry fruit bodies <a href='drop_aux' title='9'><mark>are</mark></a>persistent and may last up to several years . Gelatinipulvinella astraeicola <a href='drop_aux' title='10'><mark>is</mark></a>a leotiaceous fungus with minute , gelatinous , pulvinate ( cushion @-@ shaped ) apothecia , known to grow only on the inner surface of the rays of dead Astraeus species , including A. hygrometricus . 
Astraeus hygrometricus an ectomycorrhizal fungus and grow in association w a broad range of tree species . The mutualistic association between tree roots and the mycelium of the fungus help da trees extract nutrients ( particularly phosphorus ) from the earth ; in exchange , tdafungus receive carbohydrates from photosynthesis . In North America , associations with oak and pine usual , while in India , it done been noted to grow commonly with chir pine ( Pinus roxburghii ) and sal ( Shorea robusta ) . The false earthstar is found on the ground in open fields , often scattered or in groups , especially in nutrient @-@ poor , sandy or loamy soils . It done also been reported to grow on rocks , preferring acid substrates like slate and granite , while avoiding substrates rich in lime . In Nepal , fruit bodies done been collected at elevations of 3 @,@ 000 m ( 9 @,@ 800 ft ) . Fruit bodies typically appear in autumn , although thdary fruit bodies persistent and may last up to several yrs . Gelatinipulvinella astraeicola a leotiaceous fungus witwitnute , gelatinous , pulvinate ( cushion @-@ shaped ) apothecia , known to grow only on the inner surface of the rays of dead Astraeus species , including A. hygrometricus .