Pestle Puffballs


I was delighted to see some strange looking fungi tucked away under a variegated form of several garden shrubs, and at first I thought they were some kind of Boletus fungi based on the shape of the cap. I searched through several of my guide books and the nearest I could find to this species was Hazel Boletus - but it didn't seem quite right. Eventually I emailed the picture to my good friend Pat O'Reilly who is the author of the book 'Fascinated by Fungi.  He could see why at first I thought it was a Boletus, but it is actually a Pestle Puffball, and when I read more from his link I could see exactly what it was.  It made for some interesting reading too.

This is a fungi that stands out yet can so easily be overlooked.This one had blended in so well with the rotting leaves around it and short grasses. There were actually five specimens in all. This species is commonly referred to as the 'Pestle Puffball', and from the shape I can see why. When young it is edible and is in evidence throughout the year.  Dead stems from the previous seasons fruit bodies linger well into following summer.

Found in all kinds of open woodlands, they can also be found along woodland edges, clearings and occasionally under hedgerows (such as these ones I found). They are fairly widespread in the UK and Ireland, and throughout mainland Europe and can also be found in parts of North America.



The Latin name for this species is Lycoperdon excipuliforme and the specific 'excipuliforme' comes from the Latin words 'excipulum' which means 'vessel', and 'forma' which means 'in the shape of'.  The genus Lycoperdon means 'Wolf's flatulence'.  However, this particular fungus comprises two parts - an upper section which is white at first then turns ochre when it ages. Initially it is covered in soft warts which fall off to leave a smooth surface.  Inside this rounded head the spores will develop. 

The lower stem-like section has a sterile material which soon develops a wrinkled skin. It can grow to a height of 10 - 20cm with a cap diameter of 4 - 10cm. An old stem of a Pestle Puffball will be slightly tapering at the base with a 'spongy' surface (eventually becoming wrinkled), white at first and developing pointed warts, and then later turning an ochre colour then smooth and leathery to the touch.  Once the head has ruptured and the spores have been released, the stems expand. They remain intact throughout the winter and well into the following summer. 

I thoroughly recommend Pat's book by the way (and he and his wife also do a great range of books on plants too). Pat also has a fantastic website which is packed with information including colour photos and identification tips. Well worth a look and a reference source.


Information sourced from Fascinated by Fungi (pictures of the Pestle Puffballs used in this article copyright of Neville Davies)




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