Michael Davis
Puffballs are a unique type of fungus that look unlike most other mushrooms. They are spherical and do not have the typical cap and stem you would expect from a mushroom. Puffballs are a broader group of mushrooms that include several different species. They are easy to identify and forage, and all true puffballs are edible if picked young enough. Puffballs have antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties and have been used for medicinal purposes by many Native tribes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Lycoperdon |
| Common types | Common Puffball, Stump Puffball, Meadow Puffball, Giant Puffball |
| Appearance | Spherical, ball-shaped, sometimes with a little stem |
| Colour | White, turning brown as they age |
| Texture | Spongy, soft |
| Size | Smaller than a marble to larger than a soccer ball |
| Seasonality | Summer, often seen between July and September |
| Edibility | Only young puffballs are edible, older ones can cause gastric upset |
| Toxicity | Most puffballs are not poisonous, but some poisonous mushrooms can be mistaken for puffballs |
| Uses | Food source, fire starter, medicinal purposes, making ink |
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What You'll Learn
Puffballs are a type of fungus
Puffballs are a unique type of fungus, with a ball-shaped fruit body that bursts on contact or impact, releasing a cloud of dust-like spores. Puffballs belong to the division Basidiomycota and encompass several genera, including Calvatia, Calbovista, and Lycoperdon. They were previously treated as a taxonomic group called the Gasteromycetes or Gasteromycetidae, but they are now known to be a polyphyletic assemblage.
The distinguishing feature of puffballs is the absence of an open cap with spore-bearing gills. Instead, spores are produced internally in a spheroidal fruit body called a gasterothecium. As the spores mature, they form a mass called a gleba in the centre of the fruit body, which is often a distinctive colour and texture. The basidiocarp remains closed until after the spores have been released from the basidia.
Puffballs are often spherical, ranging in size from smaller than a marble to larger than a soccer ball or even a beach ball. They are white when young, turning brown as they age, and have a lumpy and leathery surface. Puffballs reproduce from spores, but unlike most mushrooms, they lack gills and pores to shed their spores. Instead, mature puffballs burst open, releasing millions of spores in puffy clouds.
While most puffballs are not poisonous, some resemble young agarics, especially the deadly Amanitas, which can be highly toxic. Young puffballs in the edible stage have undifferentiated white flesh, while immature Amanita mushrooms have visible gills when examined closely. All true puffballs are edible if picked young enough, but false puffballs, which are tough and bitter, should be avoided. The two most common puffballs found in the UK are the Common Puffball and the Stump Puffball, while the Meadow Puffball and Giant Puffball are usually found on grassland.
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Puffballs are spherical
Puffballs are a unique type of fungus, with a shape that sets them apart from other mushrooms. They are spherical, ranging from smaller than a marble to larger than a soccer ball or even a beach ball. The largest giant puffball ever found was discovered by a schoolboy in Yorkshire in 2010, measuring 170 centimetres (66.5 inches) in diameter.
Puffballs are characterised by their ball-shaped fruit body, which bursts on contact or impact when mature, releasing a cloud of dust-like spores into the surrounding area. This is a key distinguishing feature of puffballs, as they do not have an open cap with spore-bearing gills. Instead, spores are produced internally in a spheroidal fruit body called a gasterothecium (gasteroid 'stomach-like' basidiocarp).
The spherical shape of puffballs is not uniform across all species, and some may exhibit a slight flattening or irregularity. For example, the Giant Puffball, which can reach diameters of one foot or more, has a slightly flattened, irregularly rounded fruiting body. Despite this variation, the overall spherical form remains a defining characteristic of puffballs.
The spherical shape of puffballs serves a functional purpose in spore dispersal. As the spores mature, they form a mass called a gleba in the centre of the fruit body. When the puffball matures, a single raindrop is enough to cause it to burst, releasing millions or trillions of spores into the atmosphere. This mechanism ensures the efficient dispersal of spores and contributes to the survival and propagation of puffball species.
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Puffballs are edible if picked young
Puffballs are a type of fungus featuring a ball-shaped fruit body that bursts on contact or impact when mature, releasing a cloud of dust-like spores. They are often mistaken for mushrooms due to their similar appearance and edible properties. Puffballs are edible if picked young, before the maturation of the gleba, and have undifferentiated white flesh within.
Young puffballs are solid balls of spongy tissue, making them relatively easy to spot in nature. They are spherical and do not have a cap or gills. Instead, the spores form in the gleba, a mass of distinctive colour and texture, in the centre of the fruit body. When the puffballs start to mature, the gleba may turn yellow or green, indicating that they are no longer edible.
To identify if a puffball is edible, cut it in half. The inside should be entirely white, with no yellow, brown, grey, or black colouring. These colours indicate that the puffball is maturing or mature, or in the case of a black centre, the toxic Earthball. The inside should be slightly spongy and have a uniform texture with no noticeable outer skin.
Puffballs have a mild, earthy flavour and a familiar texture, similar to tofu. They can be cooked in various ways, such as roasting, baking, boiling, or frying in butter, and can be used as a meat alternative. However, they spoil quickly, which is why they are not commonly found in grocery stores.
While most puffballs are not poisonous, they can be mistaken for young agarics, specifically the deadly Amanitas, such as the death cap or destroying angel mushrooms. Therefore, it is important to correctly identify puffballs and ensure they are young enough to be edible.
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Puffballs have medicinal uses
Puffballs are a type of fungus featuring a ball-shaped fruit body that, when mature, bursts on contact or impact, releasing a cloud of dust-like spores into the surrounding area. While puffballs are not poisonous, some often look similar to young agarics, especially the deadly Amanitas. Young puffballs in the edible stage, before the maturation of the gleba, have undifferentiated white flesh within. The giant puffball, Calvatia gigantea, reaches 1 foot or more in diameter and is difficult to mistake for any other fungus.
Puffballs have been used for medicinal purposes by the Native American tribes of North America. The Blackfoot Native American Indian tribe, for example, wore dried puffballs around their necks to ward off ghosts and evil spirits. They also used them as a styptic (to stop a wound from bleeding) by mixing the spores with spiderwebs and bark and applying them to wounds. The Cherokee Indians used puffballs to help heal sores and burns, a trick that was later picked up by early blacksmith trade settlers.
The spores of puffballs have been found to be antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial. They fight Staphylococcus aureus (the cause of staph infections), Salmonella typhimurium, and E. However, inhaling puffball spores can cause side effects, including breathing problems, pneumonia-like symptoms, and chest X-ray changes. There is also not enough information to determine the safety of consuming puff balls during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so it is recommended to avoid their use during these periods.
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Puffballs are easy to identify
Puffballs are a type of fungus featuring a ball-shaped fruit body that bursts on contact or impact when mature, releasing a cloud of dust-like spores. They are a fantastic wild edible but they have several deadly look-alikes.
To test if a puffball is edible, simply cut it in half. Inside, you should find an entirely white interior with no yellow, brown, grey, or black. These colours indicate either mature or maturing puffballs, or, in the case of those with a black centre, the toxic Earthball. The inside should be a little spongy to the touch and not at all hard. There should be no patterning, marks, or colours inside, and especially no signs of gills. If there are any gills present, then it isn't a puffball mushroom.
The giant puffball, Calvatia gigantea, is the easiest to identify. It can grow to a diameter of 1 foot or more and is difficult to mistake for any other fungus. It is initially white, with a lumpy and leathery surface. However, small giant puffballs can be confused with other puffballs, so it is important to follow the identification steps outlined above.
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Frequently asked questions
Puffballs are a type of fungus featuring a ball-shaped fruit body that bursts on contact or impact, releasing a cloud of dust-like spores.
Yes, puffballs are a group of mushrooms that includes several different species. They don't have the typical cap and stem you'd expect from a mushroom, and they look quite different from other mushrooms.
All true puffballs are edible if picked young enough. However, there are some false puffballs and lookalikes that are toxic, so it's important to correctly identify puffballs before consuming them.
Puffballs are spherical and don't have a cap or any gills. They are usually solid white inside. If you find one that is soft, brownish, or full of spores inside, then it's too mature to eat.
Puffballs typically grow in open areas or grassy spots in forests, on fallen logs, and decaying wood.
