Lycoperdon marginatum
Species of fungus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
| Lycoperdon marginatum | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific 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 | |
 | Glebal hymenium |
 | No distinct cap |
 | Hymenium attachment is irregular or not applicable |
| Lacks a stipe |
 | Spore print is white to olive |
 | Edibility is edible or inedible |
Taxonomy
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]
Description
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
Uses
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
The puffball was featured on a postage stamp from the Ascension Islands in 1983.[9]
