# Puffballs (*lycoperdaceae*)

Puffballs are round, white fungi that look like small balls on the ground. When they are touched or disturbed, they release a cloud of spores that can float away in the wind!

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Puffballs can be found in forests, grasslands, and even gardens, often growing in groups on the ground.
- **Also known as:** Earthballs, Sporeballs

![Puffballs](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Parelstuifzwam2.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Pethan at Dutch Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parelstuifzwam2.JPG)

## Appearance

The Puffballs are typically round or pear-shaped fungi, often white or pale brown, turning darker with age. They lack a visible stem and gills, instead having a smooth or slightly warty outer skin, making them distinct from gilled mushrooms.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Basidiomycota
- **Class:** Agaricomycetes
- **Order:** Agaricales
- **Family:** Lycoperdaceae
- **Genus:** Bovista

## Interesting facts

- Dried puffballs were once used as a natural tinder to start fires! Wow!
- One giant puffball can release trillions of spores at once! Wow!
- Some puffballs were used by ancient peoples to stop bleeding. Wow!
- The 'smoke' released from puffballs is actually their tiny reproductive spores. Wow!

## Special abilities

- **Spore Eruption:** Puffballs can explosively release millions of tiny spores into the air when disturbed, spreading their offspring far and wide.
- **Decomposer Dynamo:** Puffballs have amazing decomposer power, breaking down dead plant matter and enriching soil with vital nutrients.
- **Protective Shell:** Puffballs have a tough, leathery outer skin that protects their inner spore mass until it's ready to be dispersed.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 1-50 cm
- **Edible:** edible
- **Growth Substrate:** soil
- **Season:** Late summer to fall
- **Spore Color:** Olive-brown to purplish-brown

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** [Eastern Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Squirrels might nibble on young puffballs.
- **Eats:** Fungus Gnat (*Mycetophila fungorum*) — Larvae consume internal puffball tissues.
- **Eats:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Deer occasionally browse on soft puffballs.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before touching fungi.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Puffballs?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Puffballs?

1-50 cm

### Is Puffballs edible?

edible

### Where is Puffballs usually found?

Puffballs can be found in forests, grasslands, and even gardens, often growing in groups on the ground.

### What does Puffballs grow on?

soil

### When is Puffballs in season?

Late summer to fall

### What color are Puffballs spores?

Olive-brown to purplish-brown

## Where to spot

- [Brock Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brock-park) — Texas, US · Park

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Puffballs: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/puffballs)