Fungi Outer Hebrides


Phylum: Basidiomycota   Family: Lycoperdaceae

Bovista plumbea  Pers.

Grey Puffball

Round, smooth and white when young but soon shedding the outer covering (ectoperidium) to reveal the spore sac (endoperidium). This is silvery-grey with an asymmetrical spore opening. On maturity it breaks from the substrate and rolls around in the wind, assisting spore release. In grassland with some humus, such as from grazing livestock

References: 
Pelger, Laessoe & Spooner (1995) British Puffballs, Earthstars and Stinkhorns
Overall (2017) Fungi: Mushroom & Toadstools of parks, gardens, heaths and woodlands

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