Scleroderma citrinum
Encyclopedia
Scleroderma citrinum, commonly known as the common earthball, pigskin poison puffball, or common earth ball, is the most common species of earthball
in the UK
and occurs widely in woods, heathland and in short grass from Autumn to Winter.
Scleroderma citrinum has two synonyms, Scleroderma aurantium (Vaill.) and Scleroderma vulgare Horn.
Earthballs are superficially similar to, and considered look-alikes of the edible puffball
, but whereas the Puffball
has a single opening on top through which the spores are dispersed, the earthball just breaks up to release the spores. Moreover, Scleroderma citrinum has much firmer flesh and a dark gleba
(interior) much earlier in development than puffballs. Scleroderma citrinum has no stem but is attached to the soil by mycelial
cords. The peridium
, or outer wall, is thick and firm, usually ochre yellow externally with irregular warts.
The earthball may be parasitized by Boletus parasiticus
.
Ingestion of scleroderma citrinum can cause gastrointestinal distress in humans and animals, and some individuals may experience lacrimation, rhinitis
and rhinorrhea
, and conjunctivitis
from exposure to its spores.
Scleroderma (genus)
Scleroderma is a genus of fungi, commonly known as earth balls, now known to belong to the Boletales order, in suborder Sclerodermatineae.. The best known species are S. citrinum and S. verrucosum...
in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and occurs widely in woods, heathland and in short grass from Autumn to Winter.
Scleroderma citrinum has two synonyms, Scleroderma aurantium (Vaill.) and Scleroderma vulgare Horn.
Earthballs are superficially similar to, and considered look-alikes of the edible puffball
Puffball
A puffball is a member of any of several groups of fungus in the division Basidiomycota. The puffballs were previously treated as a taxonomic group called the Gasteromycetes or Gasteromycetidae, but they are now known to be a polyphyletic assemblage. The distinguishing feature of all puffballs is...
, but whereas the Puffball
Puffball
A puffball is a member of any of several groups of fungus in the division Basidiomycota. The puffballs were previously treated as a taxonomic group called the Gasteromycetes or Gasteromycetidae, but they are now known to be a polyphyletic assemblage. The distinguishing feature of all puffballs is...
has a single opening on top through which the spores are dispersed, the earthball just breaks up to release the spores. Moreover, Scleroderma citrinum has much firmer flesh and a dark gleba
Gleba
Gleba is the fleshy spore-bearing inner mass of fungi such as the puffball or stinkhorn.The gleba is a solid mass of spores, generated within an enclosed area within the sporocarp. The continuous maturity of the sporogenous cells leave the spores behind as a powdery mass that can be easily blown away...
(interior) much earlier in development than puffballs. Scleroderma citrinum has no stem but is attached to the soil by mycelial
Mycelium
thumb|right|Fungal myceliaMycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. The mass of hyphae is sometimes called shiro, especially within the fairy ring fungi. Fungal colonies composed of mycelia are found in soil and on or within many other...
cords. The peridium
Peridium
The peridium is the protective layer that encloses a mass of spores in fungi. This outer covering is a distinctive feature of the Gasteromycetes.-Description:...
, or outer wall, is thick and firm, usually ochre yellow externally with irregular warts.
The earthball may be parasitized by Boletus parasiticus
Boletus parasiticus
Boletus parasiticus, or Pseudoboletus parasiticus, commonly known as the Parasitic Bolete is a rare, inedible Boletus mushroom found on decaying earthballs .-Description:...
.
Ingestion of scleroderma citrinum can cause gastrointestinal distress in humans and animals, and some individuals may experience lacrimation, rhinitis
Rhinitis
Rhinitis , commonly known as a stuffy nose, is the medical term describing irritation and inflammation of some internal areas of the nose. The primary symptom of rhinitis is nasal dripping. It is caused by chronic or acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose due to viruses, bacteria or...
and rhinorrhea
Rhinorrhea
Rhinorrhea or rhinorrhoea is a condition where the nasal cavity is filled with a significant amount of mucous fluid. The condition, commonly known as "runny nose", occurs relatively frequently and is not usually considered dangerous. Rhinorrhea is a common symptom of allergies or certain diseases,...
, and conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis refers to inflammation of the conjunctiva...
from exposure to its spores.
External links
- Medicinal Mushrooms Description, bioactive compounds, medicinal properties
- Mushroom Expert Additional information