Lycoperdon nigrescens Wahlenb.
dark puffball
Agaricaceae
Species account author: Ian Gibson.
Extracted from Matchmaker: Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest.
Introduction to the Macrofungi
dark puffball
Agaricaceae
Species account author: Ian Gibson.
Extracted from Matchmaker: Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest.
Introduction to the Macrofungi
Photograph
Species Information
Summary:
Features include 1) brown pear-shaped to nearly round fruitbody with an outer layer of fine pointed dark spines interspersed with granular material, the spines often leaning toward each other in groups to form pyramids, 2) the inner layer showing a netted pattern after spines have fallen off, 3) a pore developing at the top, 4) a spore mass that is white, then yellow, then brown, the lower part of the fruitbody paler than the upper part and containing a well developed large-chambered sterile base which is white at first but becomes olive-brown, 5) growth on ground in woods or meadows, and 6) round spores that are finely warty to almost smooth.
Odor:
not found "to have an odor other than the usual slightly unpleasant smell that all ripening puffballs develop", (Arora), when young unpleasant like Apioperdon pyriforme, (Breitenbach), unpleasant (Miller), strong, gas or metallic, (Buczacki)
Taste:
mild (Miller)
Microscopic:
spores (3.5)4-4.5(5) x (3.5)4-4.5(5) microns, round, finely verrucose to almost smooth; basidia 2-4-spored, 8-12 x 4-5 microns, clavate, without basal clamp connection; capillitial threads 3-6 microns wide, brownish, elastic, without septa, thick-walled, with occasional pores [pits], (Breitenbach), spores 4-5 x 4-5 microns, round, minutely spiny, (Arora)
Spore Deposit:
olive-brown (Breitenbach)
Notes:
There are collections from WA, OR, NJ, PA, France, and Germany at New York Botanical Garden herbarium, (NYBG). The University of British Columbia have collections from BC and AB. The University of Washington has collections from WA and AK. Lycoperdon nigrescens is also found in CA (Arora) and ON (Bowerman(1)).
Habitat and Range
SIMILAR SPECIES
Lycoperdon perlatum also forms a reticulate pattern on the inner layer of the covering after the spines fall off, but when young is white and pear-shaped, and has warts rather than compound spines, (Breitenbach). Lycoperdon molle and Lycoperdon umbrinum also have brownish spines even when young, but the inner layer appears completely smooth and without a reticulate pattern when the spines have fallen off, (Breitenbach). Apioperdon pyriforme has inconspicuous spines, grows on wood, and has persistently white tissue in the sterile base.Habitat
single, scattered, or in groups "in humus and debris in deep woods", (Arora), usually gregarious, on "soil in hardwood and conifer forests, as well as on heath soils and alpine meadows, prefers acid soils", summer to fall, (Breitenbach)
Status Information
Synonyms
Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Ascophanus cervarius (W. Phillips) Boud.
Fimaria cervaria (W. Phillips) Brumm.