Puffball?

cowshill · #1 (**permalink**) 29-08-2010, 06:54 PM

I found a whole group of these coming up today. I assume it is some form of puffball, but I've never seen anything quite like it. Looks a bit like a tiny potato - only about an inch in diameter. When I picked it, it came away very easily and there appeared to be no stem or evidence on the body of where/how it had been attached to anything else. I only picked the one, but they all had the same appearance - red with yellow/white cracks in the surface. Inside was pure white, solid, but slightly squishy - about the same as a common puffball. So what is it?

- Jim

cowshill · #2 (**permalink**) 31-08-2010, 05:26 PM

Still wondering what these are and watching the rest of them in the little patch. They don't seem to be growing or changing much after two more days. Am wondering whether the reason for no responses to the post is:

No idea what this is.
Not interested.
Don't believe you. I think it's a potato!

Let me know!

It really is a fungus - I promise! But what fungus?

Farplace · #3 (**permalink**) 31-08-2010, 05:33 PM

Looks like some kind of puffball, but I really dont know. Very interested to find out what they are. I live near to you and would like to find similar myself. What sort of substrate were they growing in?

cowshill · #4 (**permalink**) 31-08-2010, 05:36 PM

They are growing on the edge of the path on the north side of Burnhope reservoir. Gravely verge on the edge of the path. Nearby trees are spruce.

Farplace · #5 (**permalink**) 31-08-2010, 05:42 PM

Ah... I normally go up the south side of the reservoir. Will have a look when I get chance. Lots of ducks on the water over the last few days, and a young roe buck at the far end of the water. Good place to walk, but with more and more people discovering this haven, it gets a bit crowded at times.
Hope you get an ID for the "puffball" soon.