Common Puffball Lycoperdon perlatum Pers. (illustrated 60% life size) Fruit body 2.5–6cm across, 2–9cm high, subglobose with distinct stem; white, becoming yellowish-brown; outer layer of short pyramidal warts, especially dense on the head, rubbing off to leave an indistinct mesh-like pattern; inner wall opening by a pore. Gleba olive-brown at maturity; sterile base spongy, occupying the stem. Spores 3.5–4.5¼, globose, minutely warted; olivaceous-brown. Habitat in woodland; summer to late autumn. Very common. Edible when young.
