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Earthball Scleroderma aurantium

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Scleroderma citrinum
Phonetic Spelling
sklayr-oh-DER-muh aw-RAN-tee-um
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Earthball is technically not a mushroom; rather it is in a group of fungi called puffballs. The spores are formed inside an enclosed fruiting body and becoming dusty at maturity at which time the fruiting body breaks open allowing the spores to be windblown away.

This fruiting body is roundish to oblong, 2-4" wide by 1-3" high, brown to yellow-brown, covered with small dark brown, rough warts.  The peridum or rind is thick, yellow-brown, interior surface of peridium yellow.  Gleba (interior or spore mass) is white initially becoming marbled purple and finally purple-brown to dark brown as spores become mature.

Although a native of North Carolina, it is more frequent in the western mountains.  It can be found in forests or other natural areas.  Singly, or in small groups on soil or rotted wood in mixed conifer-hardwood forests.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#poisonous mushrooms#mushrooms#native mushroom#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#poisonous mushrooms#mushrooms#native mushroom#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Scleroderma
    Species:
    aurantium
    Family:
    Sclerodermataceae
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North Carolina, USA
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 3 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Mushroom
    Poisonous
  • Leaves:
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Patient may experience vomiting, sweating, pailor weakness, and unconsciousness. Symptoms may develop in 30 to 45 minutes but there is not consistent time frame known. There is some indication that ingestion with alcohol may have an additive effect.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unknown
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Stems