pestel_puffball_Handkea_excipuliformis

[jonbem]

Nice large pestel puffball. Pine plantation. Several of various sizes around and this was the biggest at around 200mm high
pestel_puffball_Handkea_excipuliformis

and these that were nearby I believe are "spent" bases of a couple of pestels. They were very light and dry, and when cutting had the texture like foam rubber pipe insulation lagging.


Also came across a nice little Calocera viscosa giving a traditional two fingers up!


and my first of this season of Amanita muscaria, well washed off after recent rains


thanks
Jon

[Ditiola]

While we are on the subject of the Pestle puffball. I usually only find the occasional one or two, but this week I found lots (perhaps 40-50) growing under young willow trees at the margin of a small lake. They were well above the water line, and were growing singularly or in two's and three's, but the most strange thing was most of them were growing only a few inches from the main trunks of the willows.

Peter

[Bill S]

Originally Posted by Ditiola

While we are on the subject of the Pestle puffball. I usually only find the occasional one or two, but this week I found lots (perhaps 40-50) growing under young willow trees at the margin of a small lake. They were well above the water line, and were growing singularly or in two's and three's, but the most strange thing was most of them were growing only a few inches from the main trunks of the willows.

Peter

They're obviously about at the moment, the first time I've come across the species. At first I thought it was a giant common puffball, it wasn't until I got home and could check a few books that I realised what it was. Foreground object is 100mm long.

Bill

[Ditiola]

I think you are right they are about at the moment, I saw another one today

Just to keep you up-to-date it is now back in the genus Lycoperdon with the rest of the puff-balls

Peter

[jonbem]

Hi

thanks for the name update Peter. I used R.Phillips (2006) and E.M Holden report to the BMS of recommended names (Sept 2003).
Where would the best and latest list of names be?

Thanks
Jon

[Ditiola]

Jon
For Basidiomycetes:

BasidiomycotaChecklist - Home

Click on 'Search the Database' then select Name and then enter the genus, then click on the genus name from the taxonomic group and hey presto all the up-to date names and all the synonyms as well

Peter

[jonbem]

Thanks very much Peter
added to my favourites. It will need some exploring!
I'll try to remember to use when making posts.
Jon