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Giant Puffball


The Giant Puffball (Calvatia gigantea) is a large, white, smooth sphere that crackles irregularly and becomes brownish in color when mature.  It ranges from 8 to 20 inches wide, but can be larger.  It is round, or nearly round, in shape with a root-like attachment.  The surface is smooth to the touch and no pore is formed at the top.  The interior is white, but becomes yellowish to brownish at maturity.

The Giant Puffball can be found from late May to mid-July and from August to October.  It is found either singly or in arcs in open woods, pastures, and urban areas in eastern North America west to Ohio.  A similar looking species occurs on the California coast.

When it is white inside it is an edible mushroom that can be sauteed or battered and fried.

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  • Home
  • Animals
    • Birds >
      • Avian Taxonomy
      • Bird Species Profiles
    • Mammal Species Profiles
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians >
      • Frog and Toad Species Profiles
    • Fish
    • Arthropods >
      • Arthropod Species Profiles
  • Plants
    • Native Plant Societies
    • Eastern Plant Identification Guide
  • Fungi
    • Fungi Species Profiles
  • Protists
  • Nature Products Store
  • Cell Phone Ringtones
  • Madbird Feeder Cam
  • Ramblings of the Madbird Biologist
  • Bird Videos
  • News in Science
  • Nature Inspired Recipes
  • An Introduction to Scientific Classification and Naming
  • Birds in the Classroom
  • Resources
  • About Me