Puffball mushroom.

De un vistazo

Plant type

fungus

Light

shade

Water

Every 1 to 3 days

Mature size

up to 5 cm tall

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 9

Bloom time

late summer to autumn

Cuidados

This species is a wild mushroom that requires specific decaying wood substrates to thrive. Monitor for the presence of white mycelium on logs to track development. Avoid harvesting if the interior has turned yellow or brown as it is no longer palatable.

Watering

Keep the wood substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Feeding

Do not fertilize as this fungus derives nutrients from wood decay.

Pruning

No pruning required for this fungal species.

Repotting

Not applicable for wild fungi.

Soil

decaying wood

Soil pH

acidic

Temperature

5 to 25°C

Humidity

70 to 95%

Seguridad

People

The mushroom is edible when young and white inside, but it must be cooked properly.

Children

Keep children away from mature puffballs to prevent them from inhaling or playing with the spore dust.

Contact allergens

Handling mature puffballs can release clouds of spores that may irritate sensitive skin.

Airborne allergens

Inhaling large quantities of the mature spores can cause respiratory irritation or allergic reactions.

Edibility

Do not consume unless you are an expert at identifying fungi, as many lookalikes are deadly.

Cómo identificarla

• Pear shaped fruiting body
• Grows in dense clusters on wood
• Surface covered in tiny warts
• White interior when young
• Brown powdery spores when mature

Height

0.02 to 0.05m

Spread

0.01 to 0.03m

Flowers

0cm

Cómo cultivarla

Propagation

spores

When to plant

spring

Look for these on damp, rotting hardwood logs in shaded forest areas.

Buenas compañeras

• Oak — It frequently grows on the decaying wood of oak logs.

Especies parecidas

• Common Puffball — It looks similar but grows on the ground rather than on wood.

Ciencia

Family

Lycoperdaceae

Genus

Apioperdon

Order

Agaricales

Class

Agaricomycetes

Native range

Widely distributed across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Conservation

This species is common and not of conservation concern.

It functions as a saprotroph, breaking down woody debris in forest ecosystems.

Value to wildlife

decomposer, soil nutrient recycler

Uses

edible mushroom, ecological decomposer

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

How do I know if it is safe to eat?

Only eat it if the interior is pure white and firm, and you have confirmed the identification with an expert.

Does it need soil to grow?

No, it specifically grows on decaying logs and stumps.

De dónde viene el nombre

Lycoperdon translates from Greek to wolf fart, referring to the puff of spores released when stepped on. Pyriforme means pear shaped.

Bueno saberlo

• The name pyriforme refers to its pear shape.
• It is the only puffball that grows on wood.
• When mature, the top develops a small hole to release spores.
• Raindrops hitting the mature puffball help puff the spores into the air.