Meadow puffball

Description:

An elongated ovoid form 4 to 8 cm across and 2 to 4 cm tall, with a short sterile stem typically half the width of the fruitbody. The stem is separated from the fertile upper section by a skin-like membrane. The outer surface is white and scurfy with an irregular scattering of short spines when young, becoming smooth and eventually turning brown and rupturing at the apex. Internally it is white at first, turning olive and finally brown as the spore mass matures. The spores disperse through a large apical hole. The stem is 1 to 2 cm tall and typically 1.5 cm diameter, swollen towards the base and coloured as the fertile head but with shorter spines.

Habitat:

This puffball is widespread and abundant across mainland Europe, and it is also recorded in parts of North America. It can be found in permanent pastures, woodlands, dune slacks, parks, heathland and occasionally on roadside verges.

Notes:

Spotted in National Park De Hoge Veluwe, Holland.