Favoritos de jef

I thought this was Ailanthus when I shot the pic but the leaflet margins aren’t right and the leaflets lack the basal tooth. I think maybe it’s Toona? Neglected corner of a flower bed in a yard. Didn’t look planted.

Pool was not entered / Targeting the salamander larva, that we do believe is a marbled salamander - to be confirmed / Shot by a guest with a good camera / Note that the fairy shrimp have been recorded at https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/148555771

These earthstars were growing in the dunes of Crane Beach in Ipswich, MA. Some of the specimens were detached from the substrate, which is typical of Astraeus species. Astraeus species are hygroscopic, meaning that they are sensitive to moisture - they open in wet conditions, and close in dry conditions. They are able to detach and roll around like tumbleweeds. Dark brown spores. Some of the specimens, which were still attached to the ground, had a greenish hue to the star points. The older specimens had dark, cracked star rays.

Astraeus morganii is one of the few species of Astraeus earthstars that are present in the United States. Astraeus morganii is present in the southern United States. Astraeus smithii is another similar fungus, but it is present in the northern parts of the United States.