A species of Lycoperdon, Also known as Umber-brown puffball
Soft puffball typically has a round to pear-shaped body with a soft, velvety surface. It’s often found in forested areas, growing on the ground among leaf litter and woody debris. As it matures, soft puffball's color transitions from white to a brownish hue. It releases its spores through a small opening at the top after the outer layer breaks down.
Odor:
Mildly spicy with basic fungal notes.
In This Article
Attributes
Similar Species
Tips for Finding
Clean and Preserve
Common Questions
General Info About Soft puffball
Instantly identify mushrooms with a snap
Snap a photo for instant mushroom ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on edible guidelines, toxicity, medical value, habitat, culture, and foraging techniques, etc.
Download the App for Free
Attributes of Soft puffball
Height
2.5 - 6 cm
Flesh
Spongy; white, olive-brown
Spore Print Color
Medium-brown
Odor
Mildly spicy with basic fungal notes.
Body Color
Brown
Gold
Gray
White
Cream
Flesh Bruises
The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.
Growth Form
Solitary, Gregarious
Nutrient Gathering
Saprophytic
Substrate
On soil
You can find Soft puffball by these plants:
Spruces, Oaks
Occurence Habitats
Deciduous Woodland, Mixed Woodland
Species Status
Occasional
Endangered Species
No
AI mushroom expert in your pocket
Habitat of Soft puffball
Soft puffball can be found in hardwood-evergreen woods, particularly along trails and open areas, thriving from coastal regions to mid-elevation zones.