Is Desert Shaggy Mane edible?

Podaxis pistillaris is generally considered edible when young and the gleba is still white and firm. However, its edibility is often debated, and some sources report it as having a poor taste or being indigestible for some individuals. There are no known toxic look-alikes that are morphologically similar enough to cause confusion. The primary safety concern is consuming mature specimens where the gleba has turned dark and powdery, as this stage is unpalatable and can cause digestive upset.