Puffballs
Apioperdon spp., Bovista spp. …
mushroom
⚠️ Toxic look-alike
Never eat this mushroom unless you are certain it is not its toxic look-alike.
The « eggs » of deadly amanitas can look like them: always cut each ball in half from top to bottom. A puffball is white and uniform inside, with no mushroom outline at all; an earthball, which is toxic, is purplish-black inside. Have every harvest checked by a pharmacist or a mycologist.
If in the slightest doubt, leave it. If you feel unwell after eating it, even several hours later, call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) or 911.
Small white balls with white, uniform flesh: common puffball, stump puffball, bovists; sliced and pan-fried.
- Origin
- Forests and meadows of Europe
- Season (United States)
- July to October
- Preparation
- Only young, when the flesh is white and uniform: yellowish or greenish, it is thrown away. Do not breathe in their spores. If you pick it yourself, have the mushroom checked by a pharmacist or a mycological society before eating it.
- Molecules
- Mushroom beta-glucansIn small amounts, not counted Ergothioneine
- Did you know?
- The Blackfoot used the common puffball to stop bleeding.