Home > Pepper pot

Pepper pot

Myriostoma coliforme

A species of Salt-shaker earthstar

Pepper pot is unique for its puffball-like appearance with multiple openings, rather than the typical single pore seen in close relatives. These openings release spores when mature. It grows on the ground in deciduous forests and has a distinctive earthy color, blending well with the forest floor. Its lifecycle includes a transformation from a round structure to a star-like form as it ages.

Cap Diameter:

3 - 6 cm

Odor:

Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.

General Info About Pepper pot

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 Pepper pot

Cap Diameter

3 - 6 cm

Height

3 - 8 cm

Cap

Diameters of up to 12 cm; initially shaped like a puffball, as they mature, the exoperidium splits open

Stem

Concave to vaulted in shape; gray-brown; often covered with adhering dirt, with warts

Stem Shapes

Cylindrical

Flesh

Thick when fresh; initially pale beige, darkening to yellow or brown as it matures

Ring

Ringless

Spore Print Color

Brown

Odor

Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.

Body Color

Brown

Yellow

Gray

Flesh Bruises

The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.

Growth Form

Gregarious

Nutrient Gathering

Saprophytic

Substrate

On soil, Leaf or Needle Litter

Occurence Habitats

Deciduous Woodland, Mixed Woodland

Species Status

Rare

Endangered Species

How to Identify Pepper pot

Fruiting Body Immature Fruiting Body Habit & Habitat

AI mushroom expert in your pocket

Habitat of Pepper pot

Pepper pot thrive in deciduous and mixed woodlands with ample leaf litter. They are frequently found beneath Hazel trees in dry hedgerows.

Distribution Area of Pepper pot

North America,Europe,Africa,Central and South America,Asia;introduced in Australia

Scientific Classification of Pepper pot

Phylum

Club fungi

Class

Mushroom-forming fungi

Order

Earth stars

Family

Earthstars

Genus

Salt-shaker earthstar

Similar Species to Pepper pot

Unlocking the Secrets of Identifying Many Types of Mushroom

Master the Art of Distinguishing Mushroom Varieties with Expert Tips.

Download the App for Free

Tips for Finding Pepper pot

Your Ultimate Guide to Understanding Mushrooms

Explore the Ins and Outs of Mushroom Hunting: Timing, Optimal Soil Conditions, and More Tips!

Download the App for Free

What are the Ideal Soil Conditions for Pepper pot

Leaf-litter-rich, well-drained soil.

What are Some Tips for Finding Pepper pot

Search in areas with dense leaf litter under deciduous trees, especially near Hazel.
Check the base of trees and dry hedgerows, where these mushrooms commonly emerge.
Look for their distinctive earth-star-shaped fruit bodies amidst the forest debris.
Gently brush aside leaf litter to reveal hidden specimens of pepper pot.
Visit woodlands after periods of rain when the fruit bodies are more likely to have expanded.

How to Clean and Preserve Pepper pot

Your Comprehensive Mushroom Preservation Guide

Explore efficient methods for cleaning and preserving mushrooms to ensure their freshness and quality.

Download the App for Free

Common Questions People Also Ask

Get Quick Mushroom Answers with a Snap

Snap a photo for instant mushroom ID and answers on edible guidelines, toxicity, medical value, habitat, culture, and foraging techniques!

Download the App for Free