Emma Wilson
Earthball mushrooms, also known as Scleroderma, are a group of fungi that start their lives buried in the ground. As they mature, they push themselves up from the ground forcefully, although they often remain partially buried. Earthballs are generally spherical, potato-shaped, or rounded, with thick, tough, leathery skin and no stem. They are usually yellow to brown in colour, with a warty or scaly appearance, and can smell unpleasant, like gas or rubber. Inside, they have a purple/brown to black interior with small white 'veins' running through. Earthballs are often confused with edible puffballs, but they are toxic and should not be eaten.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Earthball |
| Scientific Name | Scleroderma citrinum |
| Cap | Round to oval, 1-5 inches across; color varies from pale yellow-brown to dark brown, sometimes with a bluish tint; surface is smooth, shiny, and often wrinkled |
| Flesh | Firm, white, and marbled with veins |
| Stem | Absent or very short and stubby |
| Spores | Brown |
| Habitat | Grows on the ground, often in groups or clusters, in deciduous and coniferous forests; common in lawns and gardens |
| Season | Summer to fall |
| Edibility | Inedible, possibly poisonous |
| Distinctive Features | Large, round, and often wrinkled; hard and woody when mature; may have an unpleasant odor |
| Look-Alikes | Pigs, puffballs, and earthstars |
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What You'll Learn
Earthball mushrooms are poisonous and inedible
Earthball mushrooms are a very common group of fungi, especially the Common Earthball (Scleroderma citrinum), which is responsible for the second most mushroom poisonings in the UK each year. This is possibly due to its resemblance to the Common Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum) or Truffles (Tuber spp.), which are edible. Earthballs are also known as Devil's Snuff Box, Many-Rooted Earthball, and Earthstar Scleroderma.
The Common Earthball grows in woodland areas, in acidic and sandy soil, and can be found alone or with other Common Earthballs. They are yellowish-brown in colour and can turn greenish as they age. They have a wart-like appearance and a thick, tough, dirty yellow to brown outer skin. They are generally spherical, irregular, or potato-shaped, and range from 1.5 to 9.5 inches in diameter and 1 to 3.5 inches tall. They do not have a stem but are attached to the soil by mycelial cords or thread-like 'roots'.
The interior of a young Common Earthball is whitish or light-coloured, sometimes with a pinkish or purple tinge. As the mushroom matures, the flesh becomes purple-brown to black, with what looks like small white 'veins' running through it. The flesh also becomes powdery, and the outer skin develops pores or splits, through which the blackish, powdery spores are released when the mushroom is disturbed or rained on. The spores have a strong, unpleasant smell, likened to rubber or gas.
The Common Earthball is poisonous and inedible for humans, and can cause serious illness and hospitalisation. They are also toxic to animals and have been known to cause gastrointestinal issues. Therefore, it is important to correctly identify Earthball mushrooms and avoid consuming them.
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They are similar in appearance to edible puffballs
Earthball mushrooms are often confused with edible puffballs. This is because they share a similar appearance, particularly when earthballs are young and have a pale interior. However, there are some key differences between the two types of fungi.
Firstly, puffballs have a single opening at the top through which spores are dispersed, whereas earthballs break up entirely to release their spores. Secondly, earthballs have much firmer flesh and a darker interior, or gleba, at an earlier stage of development than puffballs. Earthballs also lack a stem, instead being attached to the soil by mycelial cords, and their outer skin, or peridium, is thick, firm, and usually ochre yellow with irregular warts.
The common earthball (Scleroderma citrinum) is the most prevalent species of earthball fungus in the United Kingdom. It is often found in woods, on heathland, and in short grass from autumn to winter. Earthballs can be spherical, irregular, or potato-shaped, with a thick, leathery, and warty skin. They are generally yellowish-brown in colour, but can turn greenish as they age. When young, the interior of an earthball is whitish or pinkish-purple, becoming purplish-black with white veins as it matures.
Due to their resemblance to edible puffballs, earthballs are considered dangerous. People have consumed them thinking they were puffballs and ended up in the hospital. It is important to be able to distinguish between these two types of fungi to avoid accidental poisoning.
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They are found in Europe, North America and the UK
Earthballs are found in Europe, North America, and the UK. They are a type of fungus that is similar in appearance to puffballs but are poisonous and inedible. There are approximately 25 species of earthballs in the world, and almost all of them occur in North America.
In the UK, there are four types of Earthball: Common Earthball (Scleroderma citrinum), Leopard Earthball (Scleroderma areolatum), Potato Earthball (Scleroderma bovista), and Scaly Earthball (Scleroderma verrucosum). The Common Earthball is the most common species of Earthball fungus in the UK and is found in woods, heathland, and short grass from autumn to winter. It is also the most common in Europe and North America.
The Leopard Earthball and Scaly Earthball are also considered toxic and should be avoided. They are often mistaken for the Common Puffball, which is lighter in colour, has softer flesh, and turns white when cut in half. Earthballs have a wart-like appearance, are firm, and can smell unpleasant, like gas or rubber.
Earthballs are mycorrhizal fungi, meaning they have a symbiotic relationship with plant roots that benefits both the mushroom and the plant. They are often found in acidic, sandy soil and can be found alone or in groups. Earthballs can be large, growing up to 9.5 inches in diameter and 3.5 inches tall. They are generally spherical or potato-shaped and range in colour from tan to brown with a darker, wart-like surface.
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They are large, spherical and irregularly shaped
Earthball mushrooms are generally large, spherical, and irregularly shaped. They are commonly known as Devil's Snuff Box, Many-Rooted Earthball, and Earthstar Scleroderma. They can be quite large, growing to about 1.5 to 9.5 inches in diameter and around 1 to 3.5 inches tall. Some sources describe them as baseball-sized. They have a distinctive appearance, with thick, tough, and leathery skin that can be yellowish-brown in colour, sometimes with a darker, wart-like covering. The outer skin, or peridium, is firm and usually ochre yellow, but can also be dirty yellow to brown with coarse, warty scales in irregular shapes.
The Common Earthball (Scleroderma citrinum) is the most common variety found in the UK and is often mistaken for edible puffballs or truffles. However, it is considered toxic and poisonous, causing serious illness in people who consume them. The interior of the mushroom is initially whitish or slightly pink/purple but turns purplish-black as it matures and becomes powdery. The outer skin develops pores or splits, through which the spores are distributed when the mushroom is disturbed or rained on.
The Star Earthball or Dead Man's Hand (Scleroderma polyrhizum syn. Scleroderma geaster) is another variety that loves disturbed landscapes like lawns and landscaped areas. It has a rounded, black outer skin that is smooth or slightly pitted but not scaly. The interior is deep black, and at full maturity, the mushroom splits open to reveal black spore dust.
The Leopard Earthball (Scleroderma areolatum), Potato Earthball (Scleroderma bovista), and Scaly Earthball (Scleroderma verrucosum) are other known varieties, with the Scaly Earthball being the darkest in colour and the Potato Earthball being the palest.
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They have a yellowish-brown outer skin
Earthball mushrooms are a very common group of fungi, with approximately 25 species found all over the world, especially in North America and the UK. The common earthball (Scleroderma citrinum) is the most prevalent species in the UK. It is also known as the pigskin poison puffball or common earth ball. The fruit bodies of this species can grow to 10 centimetres (4 inches) broad and 6 centimetres high.
The common earthball has a yellowish-brown outer skin, also described as dirty yellow to ochre-brown. The skin is thick, firm, and leathery, with a wart-like appearance and irregular warts or scales. As the mushroom matures, its outer skin can turn greenish or develop small pinkish cracks, and eventually ruptures to release its spores.
The common earthball is often mistaken for edible puffballs, which can lead to mushroom poisoning. While puffballs have a single opening at the top for spore dispersal, the common earthball ruptures to release its spores. Additionally, the common earthball has much firmer flesh and a darker interior much earlier in its development compared to puffballs.
The common earthball is a mycorrhizal fungus, meaning it has a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, benefiting both the mushroom and the plant. It is commonly found in acidic and sandy soil in woodlands, lawns, and disturbed areas.
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