Lycoperdon

Lycoperdon is a genus of puffballs, belonging to the family Agaricaceae. The genus has a widespread distribution and contains about 50 species.

Taxonomy[edit | edit source]

The genus was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The name Lycoperdon is derived from the Greek words λύκος (lykos, "wolf") and πέρδω (perdo, "to break wind"), hence, "wolf-fart".

Description[edit | edit source]

Species of Lycoperdon are characterized by their round fruit bodies, which puff out clouds of spores when they burst. The outer surface of the fruit body is covered in spines or warts. The spores are produced internally, in a mass called the gleba. The gleba is initially white and firm, but becomes brown and powdery when the spores mature.

Species[edit | edit source]

Some of the species in the genus Lycoperdon include:

Lycoperdon perlatum – The common puffball
Lycoperdon pyriforme – The pear-shaped puffball
Lycoperdon umbrinum – The umbral puffball
Lycoperdon marginatum – The marginate puffball

Edibility[edit | edit source]

Many species of Lycoperdon are edible when young, when the gleba is still white and firm. However, care must be taken to avoid confusion with immature, poisonous Amanita species.

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Lycoperdon at MushroomExpert.com

Lycoperdon Resources
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