Stump Puffball - Lycoperdon pyriforme

These puffballs are round when young, but become pear-shaped when mature. Also, when they are mature, they develop a central hole through which spores are liberated - usually by rain. I spotted dozens of these puffballs that were in various stages of development.

comments (3)

Christine Young

Lion

Here's a video that I took of the spores being released:
Posted 7 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Beautiful photography and a fun and educational post altogether! Only recently did somebody explain to me that the spores can be squeezed out. Before, I was always marveling at the wonder how somebody managed to photograph the spore release, lol. Posted 7 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks. I would love to be able to get a shot while the spores are being ejected. Posted 7 years ago

The Pear-shaped Puffball

''Lycoperdon pyriforme'', commonly known as the pear-shaped puffball or stump puffball, is a saprobic fungus present throughout much of the world. Emerging in autumn, this puffball is common and abundant on decaying logs of both deciduous and coniferous wood. It is considered a choice edible when still immature and the inner flesh is white.

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Similar species: Agaricales

Species identified by Christine Young