Ascomycetes | Basidiomycetes | Classifications | Fruit Body Structure | Slime Molds
Lycoperdales
This group looks nothing like what is known
as a mushroom, no cap, gills or stem just a round shaped 'Spore Case'. The
spores inside the ball are called the 'Spore Mass'. This starts off being
white and relatively firm then as the mushroom dries it turns into a dusty
mass. At maturity, the ball ruptures or develops an opening at the top
through which the spore mass it exposed to the elements of nature and spore
dispersal occurs.
Lycoperdum
Compactum
Found on the Manawatu Gorge Track in Palmerston North. End of July, 2000.
Grows on dead wood.
This puffball is covered with black scales when young, but these are lost
as it matures and takes the appearance shown in the photos.
The spore mass is gray in colour. When touched or disturbed a cloud of
spores shoots out of the aperture seen on the top. Rain drops have the
same effect.
Edibility:
Edible when young, while it is still firm and before the spore mass turns
gray.
Unknown Puffball
Found at Te Mata Trust Park on September 3rd, 2000. Numerous mushrooms
growing in a single burn site.
These mushrooms are minute in size about 5mm in diameter or less. Some were
single but most were joined in groups of 2-3 mushrooms fused together. Each
clump was no more than 1cm in diameter. Surrounding each ball is a cottony
growth of mycelium but not on the tops just the sides downwards.
The top surface is covered in tiny brown
hairs.
The spore opening at the apex is tiny and barely visible by the naked eye.
Edibility: Unknown
WARNING
Different people react differently to different mushrooms.
NEVER eat a wild mushroom without being 100% sure it is safe to do so.
Best Gourmet Mushrooms in New Zealand
Best Gourmet Mushrooms in New Zealand
Last Update
17 Feb 2007