Geastrum maolingense (Geastrales, Geastraceae), a new fungal species from Maoling Mountain in Ji’nan City, Shandong Province, China, is described and illustrated. It was found growing in a forest dominated by Platycladus orientalis. The description integrates morphological characteristics, ecological data, and molecular evidence. Phylogenetic analyses using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrLSU) sequences strongly support recognizing G. maolingense as a distinct species, forming an independent, highly supported clade within the genus Geastrum. A detailed morphological description, illustrations, comparisons with phenotypically similar and phylogenetically related species, and phylogenetic analysis results are provided.
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WEI et al. (2026) studied this question.
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