Lycoperdon perlatum, also known as Common Puffball, is a yellowish-brown pear or top-shaped fungus, typically with a distinct stem and covered with short spines, each surrounded by smaller, grainlike scales. It grows summer to fall, solitary to densely clustered on soil or humus in forests, along roads or trails or in open areas.

Fruiting body white, becoming ochre-brown, covered with short pyramidial warts which fall off to reveal endoperidium decorated with a reticulate pattern. It develops later a central perforation on the top through which spore powder is liberated by raindrops and wind currents. The spore mass is at first white and firm, becoming olive-brown and powdery. Spores are pale yellow to olive-brown.

Microscopic Features: The spores are approximately 3.5-4.5µm in diameter and have spherical shapes, characterized by thick walls.

Lycoperdon perlatum on the First Nature Web site.
Lycoperdon perlatum on the MushroomExpert.Com Web site.