Onion earthball
A species of Earth balls Scientific name : Scleroderma cepa Genus : Earth balls
Onion earthball, A species of Earth balls
Scientific name: Scleroderma cepa
Genus: Earth balls
Photo By Jacob Kalichman (Pulk) , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The onion earthball is a member of the "tough-skinned puffball" family, a group of mushrooms that are typically bulbous and puff-ball like in form but have a tough outer layer. In the onion earthball's case, that outer layer often fissures, giving the mushroom a cracked appearance. Also distinctive is the stark contrast between this mushroom's skin, usually a pale white or yellow color, and its inner spore tissue, which is nearly black. Onion earthballs are poisonous.
Colors
Brown
Red
White
Pink
Cream
Habitat
The onion earthball can be found in woods and in damp, disturbed areas such as gardens, lawns, roadsides, paths, and under a variety of ornamental trees. It grows in the soil where the grass is sparse.
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People often ask
General Info
Toxicity
The probability of mixing up the onion earthball (Scleroderma cepa) with desirable Puffballs makes this unassuming bulbous mushroom of the forest floor deceptively dangerous. It can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea when consumed. Only those very familiar with mushroom identification should attempt positively identifying any Puffball.
Habitat
The onion earthball can be found in woods and in damp, disturbed areas such as gardens, lawns, roadsides, paths, and under a variety of ornamental trees. It grows in the soil where the grass is sparse.
Growth Form
Mycorrhizal
Cap Diameter
15 cm
Endangered Species
No
Habit
Mycorrhizal
Substrate
On soil
Smell
Musty, mushroomy scent
Spore Print
Purple-black
Species Status
Widely distributed
How to identify it?
Similar Species
Photo By Jacob Kalichman (Pulk) , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Club fungi Class
Mushroom-forming fungi Order
Boletes and allies Family
Hard-skinned puffballs Genus
Earth balls Species
Onion earthball