Appearance
The fruit bodies of ''Lycoperdon marginatum'' are roughly spherical when young, becoming flattened and more pear-shaped in maturity, and have dimensions of 1–5 cm wide. A short, tapering stalk holds the fruit body. Initially white, the surface of the peridium is densely covered with short spines; the spines eventually fall off in irregular sheets, exposing the smooth, brown underlying surface. Mature fruit bodies form a small opening at the top through which spores are released. The internal spore-bearing tissue, the gleba, is initially white and firm, but becomes greenish-brown and then greyish-brown and powdery at the mushroom matures. The spores are spherical, covered with minute warts, and measure 3.5–4.5 μm. It has yellowish-brown capillitium threads that have a few pores or septa, and measure 6–7 μm wide.The edibility of the puffball is not known with certainty, and there have been conflicting reports in this regard, with some listing it as safe to eat, and others described it as poisonous. The species is used in Mexico to produce auditory hallucinations, although chemical analysis of fruit bodies as not revealed the presence of any substances that would cause this effect.
''Lycoperdon echinatum'' is similar is appearance, but its spines do not break off in sheets. The exoperidium of ''L. rimulatum'' sometimes peels off in sheets, but it does not have spines on its surface.
Distribution
The puffball is saprobic, and grows on the ground singly, scattered, or in groups. A fairly common species, it is often found on sandy soil, in nutrient-poor locations, or in oak-pine woods, where it fruits between June and December. It is found in Australia, Europe and North & South America.The puffball was featured on a postage stamp from the Ascension Islands in 1983.
Habitat
The puffball is saprobic, and grows on the ground singly, scattered, or in groups. A fairly common species, it is often found on sandy soil, in nutrient-poor locations, or in oak-pine woods, where it fruits between June and December. It is found in Australia, Europe and North & South America.The puffball was featured on a postage stamp from the Ascension Islands in 1983.
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