Family: Lycoperdaceae Navigation HelpSymbol keyFamily Tree
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Fungi:> Basidiomycota:> Basidiomycetes:> Agaricales:> Lycoperdaceae:> Calvatia, Langermannia, Lycoperdon, Morganella.
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Puffballs have soft, fleshy texture, which remains white inside until they reach nearly full size. The spores themselves are entangled amongst a brown cottonwool-like fibre, which ensures that they drift out sparingly over a period of time.  
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Genus: Calvatia  
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Species: Calvatia cyathiformis (Bosc) Morgan.
In the Calvatia, spores are released by irregular cracking of the wall.
More imagesCalvatia cyathiformis
Common Name: Lilac Puffball
Found: Mixed Forest
Substrate: Forest Floor
Spore: Light brown
Height: 80 mm
Width: 40 mm
Season: Autumn
Edible: Unknown
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Species: Calvatia excipuliformis Schaeff. : Pers. More imagesCalvatia excipuliformis
Common Name: Pestle-shaped Puffball
Found: Exotic forest (Oaks)
Substrate: Forest floor
Spore: Olive brown
Height: 110 mm
Width: 85 mm
Season: Autumn
Edible: Yes when young and firm.
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Genus: Langermannia  
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Species: Langermannia gigantea Wang
These fungi can grow to a very large size. The one shown was among a group the largest been 500 mm in diameter.
More imagesLangermannia gigantea
Common Name: Giant Puffball
Found: Farm Land
Substrate: Grassland
Spore: Brown
Height: 300 mm
Width: 400 mm
Season: Autumn
Edible: Yes when young
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Genus: Lycoperdon  
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Species: Lycoperdon perlatum Pers.: Pers.
First white then turning brown with age.
More imagesLangermannia gigantea
Common Name: Devil's Snuffbox
Found: Native forest
Substrate: Ground
Spore: Brown
Height: 80 mm
Width: 40 mm
Season: Late summer to late autumn.
Edible: Yes when young
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Genus: Morganella  
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Species: Morganella compacta (G. Cunn.) Kreisel & Dring
As this puffball ages its large black scales fall of.
More imagesMore imagesMorganella compacta
Common Name: None
Found: Native forest
Substrate: Wood
Spore: ?
Height: 30 mm
Width: 30 mm
Season: Autumn
Edible: Yes when young
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Unidentified  
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Species: Bovista sp.
Very common small white puffball found growing in grass.
Click MeSporesBovista sp.
Common Name: None
Found: Public parks, lawns
Substrate: Grassland
Spore: Light brown
Height: 30 mm
Width: 30 mm
Season: Autumn
Edible: Yes when young?
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Species: Lycoperdon sp.
A stalked puff ball of grassy places
More imagesUnknown sp.
Common Name: Puffball
Found: lawns
Substrate: Grassland
Spore: ?
Height: 50 mm
Width: 30 mm
Season: Autumn
Edible: Most likely
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