Pisolithus arhizus
Species of fungus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pisolithus arhizus, commonly known as the dead man's foot, dyeball,[1] pardebal, or Bohemian truffle, is a widespread earthball-like fungus.
| Pisolithus arhizus | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Boletales |
| Family: | Sclerodermataceae |
| Genus: | Pisolithus |
| Species: | P. arhizus |
| Binomial name | |
| Pisolithus arhizus (Scop.) Rauschert (1959) | |
| Synonyms | |
| Pisolithus arhizus | |
|---|---|
| Mycological characteristics | |
 | Glebal hymenium |
 | No distinct cap |
 | Hymenium attachment is irregular or not applicable |
| Lacks a stipe |
 | Spore print is brown |
 | Ecology is mycorrhizal |
 | Edibility is inedible |
Description
The fruiting body is 5–30 centimetres (2–12 in) tall and 4–20 cm (1+1⁄2–8 in) wide, with a thin yellow-brown to brown exterior layer.[2] The spores are brown.[2]
Dictyocephalos attenuatus is similar.[2]
Uses
This puffball's black viscous gel is used as a natural dye for clothes.[3] Pisolithus arhizus is a major component in mycorrhizal fungus mixtures that are used in gardening as powerful root stimulators.[4] It is inedible.[5]
Culture
In South Africa, it is known as the pardebal, and in Europe, it is known as the Bohemian truffle.
