Earthballs

    I really can't explain why but finding Earthball (Scleroderma citrinum) always interests me. The way they look, smell and I guess knowing they are poisonous adds to it.


    Some people confuse earthballs for Puffballs but when young the inside of an earthball will be black or purple, the puffball tho would when young be completely white inside. Also the earthball has a far thicker scaly skin. 


    When the earthball matures the interior becomes powdery which are the spores. Then the skin will eventually split to relese the spores rather like a puffball will, puffing out small clouds of spores when hit by rain or leaf litter.


   They are mainly found in woodland but I have found then on mossy grassed areas also. Mostly found in one's and two's but can be in large groups as well. When seen they have a very potato shape and they don't have a stem like most fungi, they have only a a few mycelial roots at the base.


    These are a common find and appear to be responsible for the most mushroom poisonings each year in the UK. Possibly due to confusion with Common Puffballs and some people have even mistaken them for truffles.



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