Lycoperdon perlatum

Lycoperdon perlatum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Agaricaceae
Genus: Lycoperdon
Species:
L. perlatum
Binomial name
Lycoperdon perlatum
Pers. (1796)
Synonyms[2][3]
  • Lycoperdon gemmatum Batsch (1783)
  • Lycoperdon gemmatum var. perlatum (Pers.) Fr. (1829)
  • Lycoperdon bonordenii Massee (1887)
  • Lycoperdon perlatum var. bonordenii (Massee) Perdeck (1950)
View the Mycomorphbox template that generates the following list
Glebal hymenium
Cap is convex
Hymenium attachment is irregular or not applicable
Stipe is bare
Spore print is brown
Ecology is saprotrophic
Edibility is choice or inedible

Lycoperdon perlatum, popularly known as the common puffball, warted puffball, gem-studded puffball or devil's snuff-box, is a species of puffball fungus in the family Agaricaceae. 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 (5⁄8 to 2+3⁄8 in) wide by 3 to 10 cm (1+1⁄8 to 3+7⁄8 in) 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.

Common puffball, releasing spores in a burst by compressing the body

The puffball grows in fields, gardens, and along roadsides, as well as in grassy clearings in woods. It is edible when young and the internal flesh is completely white, although care must be taken to avoid confusion with immature fruit bodies of poisonous Amanita species. L. perlatum can usually be distinguished from other similar puffballs by differences in surface texture. Several chemical compounds have been isolated and identified from the fruit bodies of L. perlatum, including sterol derivatives, volatile compounds that give the puffball its flavor and odor, and the unusual amino acid lycoperdic acid. Extracts of the puffball have antimicrobial and antifungal activities.

  1. ^ Dahlberg, A. (2022) [errata version of 2019 assessment]. "Lycoperdon perlatum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T122090665A222967683. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T122090665A222967683.en. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference urlFungorum synonymy: Lycoperdon perlatum was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference urlMycoBank: Lycoperdon perlatum was invoked but never defined (see the help page).