From the Editor
Cattail Park in February | The Woodlands Outdoor Pulse
Hidden beneath the leaf litter of Texas’s hardwood forests lives one of the most mysterious organisms in North America: the Texas Star mushroom. Officially named the state mushroom of Texas in 2021, Chorioactis geaster is astonishingly rare, famous for its dramatic star-shaped bloom and its uncanny ability to hiss as it releases spores. Could this special mushroom possibly be hiding in The Woodlands, Texas? Take a walk in the woods and see if you can be the first to find one in our backyard.
Nature Note
Texas Star Mushroom
In House Concurrent Resolution 61, Representative Ben Leman described the star-like shape of the Texas star mushroom as "custom designed for the Lone Star landscape," highlighting it as a striking symbol of Texas's natural diversity.
Among the fascinating array of flora in the Lone Star State, one of the most unique species, both in appearance and life cycle, is the Texas star mushroom.
This extremely rare mushroom, known scientifically as Chorioactis geaster, was first collected in Austin in 1893 and is nearly exclusive to Texas, with Japan (and now Taiwan) being the only other place in the world with a notable population. Highly selective about where it chooses to grow, the mushroom's Texas range is limited to a few counties.
The Texas star appears in winter, most commonly on the exposed roots and decaying stumps of cedar elm trees. It emerges as a dark brown capsule about four inches in length, which inspired its nickname, the devil's cigar.
After rains, the mushroom explodes open with an audible hiss, seemingly puffing smoke as it fills the air with a cloud of spores that waft away to help ensure a future generation for the species. In addition to its other memorable traits, the mushroom, once opened, has a starlike shape that makes it seem custom designed for the Lone Star landscape.
A poignant reminder of the natural diversity that surrounds us, the Texas star mushroom is as uncommon and striking as the state that serves as its home, and it is indeed deserving of special recognition.
While the Texas star mushroom hasn’t officially been documented in The Woodlands yet, our Pineywoods landscape is the perfect place to find this rare species.
Ecoregion: The Texas star mushroom is primarily found in central Texas. According to researchers at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, though the mushroom was originally documented in only nine counties, its recognized range has expanded to at least 16 counties, with sightings as far east as Houston and as far north as the Oklahoma border.
Life Cycle: The mushroom typically fruits from late fall into early spring after rains. When the mushroom initially fruits it resembles a dark brown cigar with a long stem connected to the cedar elm roots or stump. When the mushroom detects a change in humidity it splits open radially into a star-like arrangement of three to eight leathery rays. When the mushroom detects the wind it releases a smoky cloud of spores accompanied by a hissing sound.
Habitat: The Texas star mushroom is exclusively associated with the decaying cedar elm stumps in forests where they grow. Identify cedar elm (Ulmus crassifolia) by its small, rough, serrated leaves with a sandpapery feel, corky ridged bark, and compact form. In the fall, its leaves turn orange and fall after the first frost. Decomposing stumps appear as black, hollow crowns with jagged edges from fungal decay. Check out the Central Texas Mycological Society for more information on the Texas star mushroom!
Park Pocket
Cattail Park
Cattail Park in Cochran’s Crossing is a serene outdoor space featuring a winding paved trail through lush greenery, offering a peaceful setting for walking, jogging, or simply enjoying nature. The park also includes a large dog park, a playground, a soccer field, and a baseball diamond, making it a versatile destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
The best part of Cattail Park may just be the easy access to Bear Branch—a tributary to Spring Creek. This is worth the visit with the kids, but be prepared for them to get their feet wet when they explore the watery path. There’s an unpaved trail right behind the dog park that will lead you down to the creek.
As with most of The Woodland’s parks, Cattail Park has well-maintained paths and is in a convenient location, with shaded areas, a restroom, and benches. Overall, it’s a great neighborhood spot for outdoor recreation.
The park is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., providing ample time for a morning walk or evening stroll.
Location: 9323 Cochrans Crossing Dr., The Woodlands, TX 77381 (View Map)
Pavilion and playground
Path between dog park and sports fields
Bear Branch Conveyance Channel
Paved path around Cattail Park
An island in Bear Branch
Playing in Bear Branch
Community Corner
All About Snakes | February 7 at 2 p.m.
Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center, 1300 Riley Fuzzel Rd
Slither your way over to our next All About Presentation — All About Snakes! Coil into a seat and enjoy learning about some amazing serpents! Family friendly and all ages welcome!
Young Urban Naturalists | February 8 at 1 p.m.
Village Books, 9955 Woodlands Parkway
Join The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. for the Junior Urban Naturalists Club (ages 6 and up) meets several times a year, outdoors when weather permits, to see, touch, and talk about nature through learning experiences involving a variety of topics, including insects, birds, rocks/fossils, trees and lichens, and much more to come!
Adventure Activity
This newsletter provides information about the local ecosystem and resources to help families spend more time outside in nature in and around The Woodlands, Texas.
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