FUNGI

PUFFBALLS AND EARTHBALLS

Common Puffballs are normally found in small, scattered, groups in leaf litter under trees during summer and autumn, standing 40-80mm tall. Mature specimens release spores through a hole in the top which get dispersed by wind and rain. 

Meadow Puffballs are seen in the meadows during autumn. Immature fruiting bodies are creamy-white with a thick stem-like base. They grow up to 5cm across.

The Stump Puffball is the only puffball that grows on wood making it easy to identify. Large numbers often grow together. Young fruitbodies are whitish-yellow, usually club-shaped and covered in very fine warts. They brown with age.

The Common Earthball splits open to release sand-coloured spores. When conditions are poor the spores are able to remain dormant for a long time.

• Bonnet Mushrooms
• Brackets and Crusts
• Jelly Fungi
• Ascomycetes
• Puffballs and Earthballs
• True Mushrooms