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Photo By I. G. Safonov (IGSafonov)

Dead man's hand

Scleroderma polyrhizum

A species of Earth balls, Also known as Earthstar scleroderma, Earthstar puffball

Sometimes referred to as a "false Truffle", a trained eye could not easily mistake the dead man's hand for these highly-valued mushrooms. This large puffball-like mushroom develops in the ground, emerging gradually until it finally cracks up and forms a star-shaped fruiting body. The dead man's hand is considered toxic and newbie mushroom hunters should be careful not to confuse it with edible puffballs.

Odor:

Mildly spicy, reminiscent of gas.

General Info About Dead man's hand

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Attributes of Dead man's hand

Flesh

Thick; very tough; display red brown when cut and exposured

Spore Print Color

Dark brown

Odor

Mildly spicy, reminiscent of gas.

Body Color

Brown

Yellow

Flesh Bruises

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

Growth Form

Solitary, Scattered, Gregarious

Nutrient Gathering

Saprophytic, Mycorrhizal

Substrate

On soil

You can find Dead man's hand by these plants:

Pitch pine

Occurence Habitats

Disturbed Lands, Meadows

Species Status

Widely distributed

Endangered Species

How to Identify Dead man's hand

Fruiting Body Flesh Habit & Habitat

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Habitat of Dead man's hand

The dead man's hand grows in grassy, disturbed, semi-urban, and urban settings, such as lawns, gardens, pastures, parks, ditches, along roads and hillsides, or even in asphalt cracks. It prefers poor soil, sand, or gravel.

Scientific Classification of Dead man's hand

Phylum

Club fungi

Class

Mushroom-forming fungi

Order

Boletes and allies

Family

Hard-skinned puffballs

Genus

Earth balls

Toxicity and Edibility of Dead man's hand

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Is Dead man's hand Toxic?

Dead man's hand is toxic, ingestion may lead to a series of symptoms. It's best to stay away from this mushroom.

Similar Species to Dead man's hand

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Tips for Finding Dead man's hand

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What are the Ideal Soil Conditions for Dead man's hand

Fertile, well-drained, and moist soil conditions.

What are Some Tips for Finding Dead man's hand

Search in urban areas where soil may be disrupted, such as parks, gardens, and construction sites.
Look for dead man's hand in open grassy areas, avoiding densely forested regions.
Inspect locations with well-drained soil, particularly where the ground is frequently moistened.
Check for dead man's hand where the earth has been recently disturbed, such as areas in the process of regrowth.
When exploring, pay attention to the ground, as dead man's hand may appear solitary or in small clusters.