Calvatia sp.

Puff ball

LycoperdiaceaeMushrooms
⚠ Dangerous Lookalikes — Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below
Calvatia sp.
wikimedia · cc-by
Wikimedia Commons - Donald Hobern from Copenhagen, Denmark
Calvatia sp.
wikimedia · cc-by
Wikimedia Commons - Donald Hobern from Copenhagen, Denmark

What to Eat

Edible parts: Fungus, Mushroom

The fungus/mushroom is eaten.

Dangerous Lookalikes

This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.

DEADLY
Death Cap (button stage)
Death Cap (button stage)
Amanita phalloides
SAFE
Calvatia sp.
Puff ball
Calvatia sp.
Amanita phalloides
Amanita phalloides
Calvatia sp.

Death Cap (button stage): When cut in half reveals developing gills, stem, and cap outline inside the round exterior.

Puff ball: Uniform pure white flesh when cut in half, no internal structures visible, very large when mature.

Where to Find It

It is a tropical plant.

Australia*,

Countries: Australia

How to Identify

A puffball fungus in the family Lycoperdiaceae found in tropical regions. There are approximately 35 Calvatia species, all of which are considered edible.

Notes

There are about 35 Calvatia species. All puffballs or Lycoperdiaceae are considered edible. See Alexopoulos, C.J., 1962, Introductory Mycology. Wiley Toppan. p 521

References (2)
  • Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 204
  • Hiddins, L., 1999, Explore Wild Australia with the Bush Tucker Man. Penguin Books/ABC Books. p 159

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