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Lycoperdon perlatum
Lycoperdon perlatum, also known as the common puffball and gemmed puffball, is distinguished by its pear-shaped or top-shaped form when young, resembling a club. The short, cone-shaped spines on its skin (known as peridium) leave some scars as they fall off, which you can start to see in this spotting. These are young, as they begin whitish and become cream, tan, yellowish-brown to grayish-brown, and finally dark brown upon maturity. The spore mass (inside of the "ball" that holds all the spores) likewise begins white and darkens to yellow, olive, and then dark olive-brown to chocolate-colored upon maturity.
Found growing on the Old Baldy Trail leading up to Mt. Wrightson, one of the Coronado mountains. The elevation was about 6,000 - 6,500 feet. Lycoperdon perlatum is a widespread and common species, found in all parts of the United States.
About 2 - 3 centimeters in diameter. Note that these have yet to develop an apical pore where the spores will be released, and so the peak of this puffball remains white. In age, it should turn brown, and eventually rupture.
Lars, I'd been searching long and hard for an ID to this find, when the answer went unnoticed as your suggestion! Forgive me for that, I honestly did not see it. Well, after countless guide-flipping, I came to the conclusion that it is L. perlatum, and your suggestion gives more weight to that notion. Thank you.
Spotted on Oct 22, 2011
Submitted on Oct 23, 2011
