Umber-brown Puffball

Appearance

This species has a fruit body that is shaped like a top, with a short, partly buried stipe. It is 2 to 5 cm tall and 1 to 4 cm broad. It is approximately the size of a golf ball but may grow to be as big as a tennis ball. ''Lycoperdon umbrinum'' is very similar to ''Lycoperdon molle';'' they are so similar that scientists used refer to them with the same name. When looking closer, the density of spines on ''L. umbrinum'' are sparser and the spores of ''L. molle'' are much larger with a greater density of spines. The spores of ''L. umbrinum'' are spherical and either smooth or ornamented with spines and appear olive yellow in KOH.

The fruit body is initially pale brown then reddish to blackish brown, and the outer wall has slender, persistent spines up to 1 mm long. Spores are roughly spherical, 3.5–5.5 µm in diameter, with fine warts and a pedicel that is 0.5–15 µm long. It is uncommon and found mostly in coniferous woods on sandy soils.

The species is considered edible. Be sure to identify properly before eating because it could be confused with the toxic earth ball or deadly ''Amanita.''

Habitat

This fungus is saprophytic, commonly growing in forests and under conifers. It has also been seen growing in poor quality soil in hardwood and conifer areas. It has been observed growing by itself, dispersed, or many together.

The fruiting period is from June through September. Unlike agarics which have gills that hold spores, when conditions are right, these puffballs will become dry and burst to release their spores. Upon rupturing, they can release trillions of spores.

An interesting characteristic about ''Lycoperdon umbrinum'' is that it likely has a mycorrhizal relationship with ''Pinus patula.'' One study investigated this relationship and found these species were often growing near each other. Additionally, there were development of branched and finger-like mycorrhizae underneath the ''L. umbrinum'' fruiting bodies. This study was done in South Africa where it is common that coniferous plants grown on large scale have this mutualism .

Uses

''Lycoperdon umbrinum'' is edible and has been found to have some medicinal purposes. This mushroom has historically been used by the Mam ethnic group in Mexico. They call it “wutz anim” or “dead’s eye” which they use to keep away the evil eye. They typically prepare it by boiling and eat it by itself or with other plants. This group also uses it against asthma and additional uses that seem to overlap with the uses of baby powder. In some parts of the country, there is a mushroom gathering tradition that the whole family is a part of.

In the lab, ''L. umbrinum'' has been found to have significant antibacterial properties and potentially antimicrobial properties. It was found that ''Aspergillus tamarii'' is associated with ''L. umbrinum'' through a beneficial mutualistic relation. This fungus, extracted from ''L. umbrinum'' has significant antibacterial properties specifically on ''Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis,'' and ''Escherichia coli.'' ''L. umbrinum'' was also found to have antimicrobial activities against methicillin resistant ''Staphylococcus aureus'' . ''Lycoperdon umbrinum'' and ''Trametes versicolor'' were found to inhibit the MRSA growth to the greatest degree indicating that these species could hold a new source of antimicrobial properties to fight MRSA.

Although it may have helpful antibacterial and antimibrobial properties, spore inhalation should be avoided. Inhalation of ''Lycoperdon'' spp. could cause lycoperdonosis. This is a reaction to inhalation or ingestion of puffball spores which can lead to unpleasant symptoms.