SCIENTIFIC NAME: CALVATIA EXCIPULIFORMIS
VERNACULAR NAME: PESTLE PUFFBALL

Fig 1
FRUIT BODY Pestle shaped fruit body hence the vernacular tag.  Light buff in colour eventually turning dark brown with age.  Most of the fruiting body is covered in warts that soon become removed revealing the delicate surface beneath.  This papery surface soon breaks up to expose the spores.
GLEBA Spongy in sterile stem and brownish in colour.  The upper part is purplish brown when mature.
SPORES Olive brown, globose with warts.
HABITAT Woodland, heaths and pastures.
SEASON Common.  Summer to Autumn.
EDIBILITY Edible.  a

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