 Chorioactis is a genus of fungus that contains the single species Chorioactis geaster . The mushroom is commonly known as the devil 's cigar or the Texas star in the United States , while in Japan it is called kirinomitake ( キリノミタケ ? ) . This extremely rare mushroom is notable for its unusual appearance and disjunct distribution : it is found only in select locales in Texas and Japan . The fruit body , which grows on the stumps or dead roots of cedar elms ( in Texas ) or dead oaks ( in Japan ) , somewhat resembles a dark brown or black cigar before it splits open radially into a starlike arrangement of four to seven leathery rays . The interior surface of the fruit body bears the spore @-@ bearing tissue known as the hymenium , and is colored white to brown , depending on its age . The fruit body opening can be accompanied by a distinct hissing sound and the release of a smoky cloud of spores . 
