Lycoperdon marginatum
| Lycoperdon marginatum | |
|---|---|
| File:2012-08-18 Lycoperdon marginatum Vittad 250854.jpg | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Lycoperdaceae |
| Genus: | Lycoperdon |
| Species: | L. marginatum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lycoperdon marginatum Vittad. (1839)
| |
| Lycoperdon marginatum | |
|---|---|
| Mycological characteristics | |
| File:Gleba icon.png | Glebal hymenium |
| File:No cap icon.svg | No distinct cap |
| File:NA cap icon.svg | Hymenium attachment is irregular or not applicable |
| File:NA cap icon.svg | Lacks a stipe |
| Spore print is white to olive | |
| File:Mycomorphbox Edible.png File:Mycomorphbox Inedible.png | Edibility is edible or inedible |
Lycoperdon marginatum, commonly known as the peeling puffball, is a type of puffball mushroom in the genus Lycoperdon. It is characterized by the way that the spiny outer layer peels off in sheets. A common species, it is found in Europe and North America, where it grows on the ground.
Taxonomy
[edit | edit source]The species was first described scientifically in 1839 by Vittadini.[1] Molecular analysis places it the species in the subgenus Lycoperdon of the genus Lycoperdon, along with L. perlatum and L. norvegicum.[2]
It is commonly known as the peeling puffball.[3]
Description
[edit | edit source]The fruit bodies of Lycoperdon marginatum are roughly spherical when young, becoming flattened and more pear-shaped in maturity, and have dimensions of 1–5 cm (0.4–2.0 in) wide. A short, tapering stalk holds the fruit body. Initially white, the surface of the peridium (spore case) is densely covered with short spines; the spines eventually fall off in irregular sheets, exposing the smooth, brown underlying surface. Mature fruit bodies form a small opening at the top through which spores are released.
The internal spore-bearing tissue, the gleba, is initially white and firm, but becomes greenish-brown and then greyish-brown and powdery at the mushroom matures. The spores are spherical, covered with minute warts, and measure 3.5–4.5 μm.[3] It has yellowish-brown capillitium threads that have a few pores or septa, and measure 6–7 μm wide.[4]
Lycoperdon echinatum is similar is appearance, but its spines do not break off in sheets.[3] The exoperidium of L. rimulatum sometimes peels off in sheets, but it does not have spines on its surface.[5]
Habitat and distribution
[edit | edit source]The puffball is saprobic, and grows on the ground singly, scattered, or in groups. A fairly common species, it is often found on sandy soil, in nutrient-poor locations, or in oak-pine woods, where it fruits between June and December.[3] It is found in Australia,[6] Europe and North & South America.
Uses
[edit | edit source]There have been conflicting reports regarding the puffball's edibility, with some listing it as safe to eat[7] when young (but insubstantial)[8] and others describing it as poisonous.[3] The species is used in Mexico to produce auditory hallucinations, although chemical analysis of fruit bodies has not revealed the presence of any substances that would cause this effect.[5]
In culture
[edit | edit source]The puffball was featured on a postage stamp from the Ascension Islands in 1983.[9]
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c d e Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
External links
[edit | edit source]- Error creating thumbnail: File missing Media related to Lua error in Module:Commons_link at line 62: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). at Wikimedia Commons
- Lycoperdon marginatum in Index Fungorum
Lua error in Module:Taxonbar at line 165: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).