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Scleroderma citrinum, commonly known as the common earthball, is a widespread puffball-like fungus. It is found in many types of woodlands, mainly in late summer and autumn. While technically edible, it can cause gastrointestinal upset, especially if not properly cooked, and can be confused with poisonous species when young.
How to Identify
- Cap
- The outer surface (peridium) is thick, firm, and yellowish-brown, often with irregular cracks or scales. It bruises reddish-brown when handled.
- Gills
- No gills are present.
- Stem
- There is no true stem, but the base may have mycelial cords attaching it to the soil.
- Flesh
- The internal flesh (gleba) is white when young, becoming dark purplish-brown with white marbling as it matures. Eventually, the gleba becomes a powdery mass of spores.
- Fruiting body
- The fruiting body is roughly spherical or potato-shaped, typically 2–6 cm (1–2.5 in) in diameter, and lacks a stem. It is attached to the substrate by mycelial cords.
- Habitat
- It grows in various types of woodlands, often in sandy or acidic soils, in late summer and autumn. It can be found under both deciduous and coniferous trees.
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Thick, firm, yellowish-brown, often with irregular cracks or scales
- Growth Form: Puffball-like
- Spore Print: Dark purplish-brown
- Body color: Yellowish-brown
- Odor: Earthy
- Flesh bruises: Reddish-brown
- Height: 2-6 cm
- Cap Diameter: 2-6 cm
- Nutrient gathering: Mycorrhizal or saprobic
Toxic
Moderate ToxicityCan cause gastrointestinal upset, especially if not properly cooked. Can be confused with poisonous species when young.
Quick Check
- Odor: Earthy
- Fruiting: Late summer to autumn
- Substrate: Sandy or acidic soils in woodlands
Where to Find
Woodlands
Found in various types of woodlands, often in sandy or acidic soils.
Under Trees
Can be found under both deciduous and coniferous trees.
Finding Tips
Season
Look for them in late summer and autumn.
Soil Type
Check sandy or acidic soils.
Similar Species
Pigskin Poison Puffball
a poisonous earthball fungus
Also known as: Scleroderma areolatum
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Sclerodermatales
- Family
- Sclerodermataceae
- Genus
- Scleroderma
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