Puffball (Giant)

AgaricaceaeChoice Edible (young)
FamilyAgaricaceae
EdibilityChoice Edible (young)
HabitatMeadows, pastures
SeasonSummer-Autumn

About the Puffball (Giant)

Can grow to the size of a basketball - specimens over 20 kg recorded. Must be eaten when young and pure white inside. Once the flesh turns yellow-green, they are no longer edible. When mature, a single puffball releases 7 trillion spores. They have no cap or gills - the entire fruiting body is a spore mass. Native Americans used dried specimens as wound dressings and to carry fire.

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