What does a puffball mushroom look like and what is it described as (+29 photos)

Mushrooms

While walking through the forest, you can often encounter beautiful round mushrooms known as puffballs. Experienced mushroom pickers swear by their delicious and nutritious fruits, but only if they are harvested and processed correctly. Common names for the puffball mushroom include puffballs, hare's potato mushrooms, golovach mushrooms, smoky mushrooms, wolf's tobacco mushrooms, and dusty mushrooms. The mushroom gets its name from its ability to "explode" with spores when ripe.

Characteristic features of raincoats

Puffballs belong to the Agaricaceae family, genus Puffball. Some time ago, they were classified not just as a separate genus of mushrooms, but as a separate family.

Appearance and photo

The cap and stem form a single fruiting body, shaped like a pear or a sphere. The pseudostem is distinct, slightly thinner than the top. The surface may have the following coloration:

white;
grayish-white;
shades of yellow;
brown;
olive.

Morphology (species differences)

The distinctive characteristics of mushrooms are the following species-specific features:

Gasteromycetes (spores mature inside the body);
absence of a clearly defined cap;
the pulp is transformed into spores;
double-layer coating;
presence of a false leg.

Puffballs are rarely confused with other mushrooms. The only exceptions are false mushrooms.

Place of distribution

Puffballs grow almost everywhere. They are most commonly found in the following places:

forests;
parks;
meadows;
grassy meadows.

Massive growth occurs in late summer, after the rains. However, isolated specimens can also be found in early summer and late autumn.

Edibility

Puffballs are edible. Moreover, they are very tasty and rightfully considered a delicacy.

Note!

Only young specimens are eaten. The flesh of older mushrooms rots, turning into spores.

Only the white flesh is considered edible. Edible mushrooms are often confused with false puffballs, which are not recommended for consumption.

Species diversity

The puffball genus is very diverse and includes about a dozen different species. Not all of them are edible, so it's important to clearly distinguish between these mushroom varieties.

Edible

Edible species is a collective name for all edible members of the genus. Edible species usually refers to the general characteristics of edible puffballs with white flesh.

Spiky

Members of the spiny species are club-shaped. Young specimens are white or grayish in color, turning dark yellow as they mature.

The surface is covered with thorns on top and drop-shaped warts on the bottom.

Meadow

The fruiting body is round, slightly tapering at the base. Initially, the surface is white, but over time it turns olive-brown.

Representatives of the species are characterized by shortened false legs.

Patchy

A very rare species. Considered the most beautiful of the genus. Its surface is covered with unusual growths resembling flakes of cotton wool.

Young ones have a light creamy surface, while adults have an ocher-brown surface with chocolate-colored flesh.

Bigheads

The oblong golovach is shaped like a club or bowling pin. It differs from other species by its long pseudopod and hemispherical apex. Numerous spines of varying sizes protrude from the surface. Young golovach are white, while adults are brown.

The Baggy Golovach mushroom is round, slightly flattened at the top and tapered at the base. Only adults have spines. Initially, the mushrooms are light-colored, but over time they acquire a gray-brown hue.

The Giant Golovach is distinguished by its very large size. It appears as a huge sphere, slightly flattened at the top. Its body diameter can reach 0.5 meters. Caution is advised when handling such large specimens: the cloud of its spores can cause suffocation.

Yellow-colored

Representatives of the yellow-colored variety closely resemble lemon pears in both shape and color. Young pears have a brighter hue and a surface with spines and bubbles. As they mature, the spines fall off.

hedgehog-prickly

The fruiting body can take on a variety of shapes. A distinctive feature of this species is its unusually long spines, which give it a hedgehog-like appearance.

Aging specimens acquire a light brown tint over time.

Pear-shaped

The mushrooms are pear-shaped. Young ones are white, while older ones are a dirty brown. You can tell the age of this species by the presence of spines.

As it ages, the thorns fall off and the surface becomes smooth.

Smelly

The species received such an unflattering name for a reason. The smell of the pulp is reminiscent of the pungent odor of gas.

The Stinking Species can be recognized by its slightly curved, dark brown spines.

Places and rules of gathering

Puffballs are most often found at forest edges, in meadows, and clearings with short grass. They are often found on old stumps and fallen trees. Environmentally unhealthy areas are not the best places to collect them. The mushrooms, like sponges, absorb toxic waste and can be harmful to human health. Therefore, collecting them near industrial facilities and highways is not recommended.

Experienced mushroom pickers always adhere to the basic rules of collection:

It is better to go out to gather supplies early in the morning, when there is dew.
Puffball mushrooms shouldn't be cut off. This will ruin the entire mycelium. The correct way to unscrew them is like screws.
To save space in the basket, you should immediately remove any debris from the surface.

Please note!

There's another unspoken rule of picking: "If in doubt, don't pick it!" It's best to leave any questionable specimens in the clearing.

Main differences from false species

Inexperienced mushroom pickers can stumble upon false puffballs and end up with a poisonous one instead of a tasty one.

You can dispel any doubts by looking at the photos and descriptions of the differences between fake and real raincoats:

The warty puffball is considered poisonous. It differs from edible species by its complete lack of a stem and its smell of raw potato.
Warty puffball
Common puffball (Orange). This species has a number of differences from the true puffball. It is identified by its brownish color, thick shell, and small scales on the surface.
The spotted mushroom (panther mushroom, leopard sclerodema) is distinguished by its complete absence of a stalk. Small scales are arranged in an interesting pattern, imitating leopard spots. The spotted mushroom can also be recognized by the sweet aroma of its flesh.
Leopard sclerodema

Medicinal properties

Puffballs have medicinal properties that are widely used in folk medicine. The giant puffball contains a substance called calvacin, which is found in many anticancer medications used in traditional medicine.

Indications and restrictions for use

The medicinal properties of mushrooms allow them to be used in the following cases:

Injuries (cuts, burns).
Respiratory diseases (bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis).
Skin diseases.
Prevention and stopping of tumor growth.
Cleansing the body of waste and toxins.

Remember!

People with kidney, pancreatic, or stomach conditions should exercise caution when consuming mushrooms. They are also contraindicated for pregnant and breastfeeding women and young children.

Preparing the medicine

The starting material for preparing the medicine is spore powder. A dessert spoon of powder is poured into a glass of hot water (recommended water temperature is 70°C). The infusion is brewed in a glass container under a lid for 40 minutes.

Only mature specimens are suitable for medicinal purposes. Spore powder can also be taken orally as a standalone remedy.

Consumption

Puffballs can be boiled, fried, or dried. But they are primarily used in soups. Only young mushrooms are eaten; old ones are considered inedible.

Processing and cooking features

Before cooking, rinse the mushrooms thoroughly several times, preferably under running water. Then clean them and rinse them again. Inspect the cleaned puffballs for worms. Good ones are cut open to check the color of the flesh.

Puffballs can be stored for up to 24 hours without refrigeration. Refrigerated, they stay fresh for up to 3 days. Frozen, they can be eaten for up to 6 months. Dried or salted, they can be stored for up to a year.

Frying mushrooms

Fried mushrooms in batter taste like a meat dish. It's recommended to boil them for 10 minutes before frying. Otherwise, the dish will be tough.

The mushrooms are sliced thinly and seasoned to taste with salt, pepper, and sometimes paprika. They are then dipped in batter and thrown into a hot frying pan. The slices are fried until golden brown on both sides. The batter is made with chicken eggs and milk.

Answers to frequently asked questions

Are all types of puffballs edible?

All edible species of these mushrooms are edible. Only the false puffballs should not be eaten.

Why is the mushroom called a puffball?

This name comes from the tendency of fruits to grow actively immediately after prolonged rains.

Have there been any cases of poisoning by puffballs?

Edible species are non-toxic and pose no danger to humans. The only possible cause of poisoning is consuming spoiled food or food harvested in areas with high levels of soil contamination.

Can cancer be cured with a puffball?

The giant species is used in the treatment of cancer. It helps stop tumor growth but does not eliminate them completely.

Can I give it to a child?

Children under 5 shouldn't eat mushrooms. After 5, a small amount of mushrooms can be offered to children, but don't overindulge.

Puffballs are not only delicious but also healthy. They're perfect for a variety of dishes and also boast medicinal properties. Just be sure not to confuse the real thing with its inedible counterpart.