Puffball facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Puffball |
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| Lycoperdon umbrinum, commonly known as the umber-brown puffball | |
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Puffballs are a type of fungi. They get their name because when they burst or are hit, they release clouds of brown, dust-like spores. These spores are how new puffballs grow.
Unlike many other mushrooms, true puffballs do not have a visible stem or stalk. They also do not have an open cap with gills underneath. Instead, their spores grow inside the puffball.
Some puffballs do have a stalk that holds up the main part. These stalked puffballs are usually tough and woody. This means they are not good to eat.
There are also "false puffballs" that look similar. These are also not good to eat because they are tough and taste bitter. For example, the Scleroderma type of puffball should always be avoided.
Long ago, people in Tibet used puffballs to make ink. They would burn the puffballs, grind the ash, and mix it with water and glue. This mixture was pressed to create a dark black substance for writing.
Eating Puffballs: What to Know
Most puffballs are not poisonous. However, some young puffballs can look like very dangerous mushrooms. These include deadly Amanita mushrooms, such as the death cap or destroying angel.
When puffballs are young and safe to eat, their inside flesh is completely white and smooth. It should look the same all the way through. If you see any signs of gills inside, even tiny ones, it is not a puffball and could be a very toxic mushroom. Always be careful!
The giant puffball, called Calvatia gigantea, is very easy to spot. It can grow to be a foot (30 cm) or more across! It's hard to confuse it with any other fungus because of its huge size. Scientists believe a large giant puffball can release trillions of spores when it's mature.
Not all true puffballs are completely without stalks. Some, like Podaxis pistillaris, have a stalk. This one is sometimes called the "false shaggy mane." There are also several types of false puffballs that look a lot like the true ones.
Images for kids
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Lycoperdon pyriforme
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Lycoperdon echinatum
See also
In Spanish: Hongos polvera para niños
