Lycoperdon pyriforme (Morganella pyriformis)
This little white puffball mushroom is the only puffball that grows on wood. Because of this it is often called the Stump Puffball. It is also commonly know as the Pear Shaped Puffball. As you can see from the pictures it sometimes appears to be growing on the ground but if you look you can see the white strands (see middle mushroom in 4th picture). It is usually a small mushroom, less than an inch in diameter but you can see in the 4th picture that sometimes it gets a little bigger. It is edible. The taste is mild and it has the sponge consistency like bolete mushrooms. If you do eat it be sure and cut it in half and inspect the flesh. It should be firm and white. Watch out that you don’t see the shape of a mushroom because it is then a young Amanita and deadly.
Recent dna studies suggest that it is not of the family Lycoperdon at all but should be considered Morganella. The white mycelial strings mentioned earlier and the fact it grows on wood support this. See the Mushroom Expert link below.
Links
Lycoperdon pyriforme
Type: Puffballs and othersCollection date: 09/18/2008
Name: Lycoperdon pyriforme
Common Name: Stump Puffball, Pear Shaped Puffball
Description: These started appearing after the first fall rain. They are small 1 to 4 cm in diameter and about 5cm tall. They are white with a pear shape and grow on rotted wood.
Edibility: Edible
Color: White to Cream
Size: Less than 5cm
Cap type: Puffball
Gills: No Gills
Stem type: Lateral, rudimentary, absent
Flesh: white
Texture: a little slimy
Veil: none
Ring: none
Volva: none
Mycelium:
Spore color: Light to Dark Brown
Habitat: Grows in woods
Habitat2: Grows on wood
Habitat3: Well Rotted Beech
Field Notes
Note: 09/22/2008 These little puffballs are popping up everywhere – see the picture added today. : 55-82°F : DryNote: 09/23/2008 Picked a batch for dinner tonight : 57-85°F : Dry
Note: 09/24/2008 These continue to fruit : 56-85°F : Dry
Note: 09/25/2008 Little ones getting big now : 55-85°F : Dry
Note: 09/27/2008 Still here in abundance. : 57-80°F : Dry
Note: 09/28/2008 The initial batch has now turned not many left. : 55-80°F : Dry
Note: 09/29/2008 Most of these are now too old to eat but there are a few new ones coming up. : 54-80°F : Dry
Note: 10/01/2008 No new ones the old ones are getting a green tint to them : 43-69°F : Damp
Note: 10/04/2008 The log that was covered – the ones that were left have all puffed out their spores. : 40-70°F : Dry
Note: 10/12/2008 New ones sprouting up after last rain on a different log. : 54-85°F : Moist
Note: 10/14/2008 Harvested the newest batch today. They were bigger than first batch but there were fewer of them. : 55-80°F : Dry
Note: 10/15/2008 A few coming up around. : 59-75°F : Moist (some showers)
Note: 10/15/2008 Still a few coming up : 62-80°F : Dry
Note: 10/20/2008 A few late ones are up. : 34-65°F : Dry
Note: 10/21/2008 Spotted a few new ones still : 38-65°F : Dry
Note: 10/26/2008 Found some new batches today : 38-66°F : Moist
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