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Diary — Lycoperdon perlatum (Common puffball)

Lycoperdon perlatum (Common puffball)

Lycoperdon perlatum (Common puffball)

Dec 09, 2021

Lycoperdon perlatum, popularly known as the common puffball, warted puffball, gem-studded puffball, wolf farts or the devil's snuff-box, is a species of puffball fungus in the family Agaricaceae.

Lycoperdon perlatum 1

A widespread species with a cosmopolitan distribution, it is a medium-sized puffball with a round fruit body tapering to a wide stalk, and dimensions of 1.5 to 6 cm wide by 3 to 10 cm tall. It is off-white with a top covered in short spiny bumps or "jewels", which are easily rubbed off to leave a netlike pattern on the surface. When mature it becomes brown, and a hole in the top opens to release spores in a burst when the body is compressed by touch or falling raindrops.

Lycoperdon perlatum 3
This specimen was found on Rakiura / Stewart Island.