A rare spectacle has mushroom enthusiasts and scientists equally intrigued in Austin, Texas, where strange hissing fungi, called Texas Stars, have begun to sprout. These mushrooms, scientifically known as Chorioactis geaster, are famous for the unusual hissing sound they emit when releasing spores, a noise compared to opening a bottle of soda, as reported by KVUE.
The Texas Stars have been making appearances in Austin's Zilker Botanical Garden, sprouting from mature tree stumps. Schatz noted the mushrooms, which are characterized by a leathery, dark, orange color and star shape, seem to favor cool, wet days for growth.
This rarified fungus is also surprisingly found in Japan, alongside its predominant home in Texas, and interestingly, only grows on decaying cedar elm stumps in parts of North and Central Texas, according to phys.org.
Aside from their hissing, these mushrooms garner attention for their rarity, with sightings in over a dozen Texas counties, according to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Texas boasts the recognition of the Texas Star as the official state mushroom, as of 2021, a nod to its fitting presence in the Lone Star State's diverse ecosystem.
In a recent revelation, Texas Parks and Wildlife shared photographs of the Texas Star mushroom at Inks Lake State Park, roughly 70 miles northwest of Austin. Visitors eager to catch a glimpse of this rare species can inquire at the park's headquarters during their visit. Forrest Mims III, who spoke to the state's parks and wildlife magazine, explained the hissing phenomenon: "That happens when the species explosively throws out its spores." Because they're under high pressure, the spores are released like bullets," as per phys.org.
