Common name: Long-spined Puffball.
Extract from Wikipedia article: Lycoperdon pulcherrimum, commonly known as the long-spined puffball, is a type of puffball mushroom in the genus Lycoperdon. It was first described scientifically in 1873 by Miles Joseph Berkeley and Moses Ashley Curtis. The fungus is found in the southern United States.
Lycoperdon pulcherrimum is a species of puffball fungus that grows up to 10 cm in diameter, with a rounded to pear-shaped base and a short, stout stem. The exterior is covered in short, fine spines that wear off with age, revealing a smooth, brownish-gray surface. It is found in fields, meadows, and open woods, often in association with oak and pine trees. In East and Central Texas, Lycoperdon pulcherrimum typically fruits from May to October, with peak abundance in late summer. It can be encountered in a variety of habitats, including prairies, savannas, and woodland edges, where it grows solitary or in small groups on the ground.
Spiny puffball mushrooms Lycoperdon pulcherrimum among oak leaves on the edge of a forest in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, May 8, 2023
Spiny puffball mushroom Lycoperdon pulcherrimum covered by oak leaves in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, May 8, 2023
Spiny puffball mushroom Lycoperdon pulcherrimum almost covered by oak leaves in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, May 8, 2023
Spiny puffball mushroom Lycoperdon pulcherrimum with oak leaves in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, May 8, 2023
Close-up of spiny puffball mushroom Lycoperdon pulcherrimum in oak leaves in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, May 8, 2023
Upper view of spiny puffball mushroom Lycoperdon pulcherrimum in oak leaves in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, May 8, 2023
Yellowish spiny puffball mushroom Lycoperdon pulcherrimum in oak leaves in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, May 8, 2023
Side and upper views of spiny puffball mushrooms Lycoperdon pulcherrimum in oak leaves in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, May 8, 2023
Cross section of spiny puffball mushrooms Lycoperdon pulcherrimum in oak leaves in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, May 8, 2023
Interior tissues under a microscope of spiny puffball mushrooms Lycoperdon pulcherrimum collected in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, May 8, 2023
Basidia and spores under a microscope of spiny puffball mushrooms Lycoperdon pulcherrimum collected in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, May 8, 2023In East and Central Texas, specifically in Hensel Park, College Station, observations of the fungus Lycoperdon pulcherrimum were made on May 8, 2023. The spiny puffball mushrooms were found among oak leaves on the edge of a forest, often partially or almost completely covered by the leaves. Close-up and upper views revealed the mushroom's details, including its yellowish color. Cross-sections and microscopic examinations showed the interior tissues, basidia, and spores of the fungus. The mushrooms were observed in various states, including some with visible spines and others that were more rounded. The observations suggest that Lycoperdon pulcherrimum thrives in the oak leaf litter of East and Central Texas forests, and can be found in a range of developmental stages. Microscopic examination provided further insight into the fungus's structure and reproductive features.
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