The puffballs are characterised by the powdery nature of the mature spore mass, an adaptation to facilitate spore dispersal by wind and rain. Traditionally they were classified along with the stinkhorns, birds nests and some other groups in the class Gasteromycetes ('stomach' fungi), characterised by their spores developing internally within an enclosed fruit body. It is now clear this class is an evolutionarily artificial one, including groups of diverse origin. Nevertheless, they are ecologically linked in their manner of spore dispersal and it is convenient to refer to them as 'gasteroid fungi'.
There are several groups of puffballs:
Common puffballs (Bovista, Lycoperdon, Morganella, and Vascellum). Relatively small species (usually less than 3 cm across) with the spores being released through an apical pore. Lycoperdon is characterised by a cellular sterile base, a broad stalk of tissue which lacks spores and with which has chambers (cells) visible under the hand lens. Vascellum also has a distinct cellular sterile base, but in addition there is a distinct skin-like membrane (diaphragm) separating the spore mass from the base. In Bovista the sterile base is absent or poorly developed and the inner spore case (tumbler) often separates at maturity and becomes blown around by the wind. In Morganella the sterile base is absent or if present, it is marshmallow-like in consistency rather than cellular, and the species are found on wood rather than the soil.
Giant puffballs (Calvatia). Large, usually more than 5 cm across, and lacking a pore in the spore case, the spores being released following breakdown of the outer wall.
Earthstars (Geastrum). The spore case is surrounded at maturity by the star-like arms of the outer wall layer, which serve to elevate the spore case from its immediate surroundings facilitating spore dispersal by wind and rain.
Earthballs and dyeballs are medium-sized puffballs, with earthballs (Scleroderma) characterised by a hard, rind-like yellow or brownish spore case, with or without a stout sterile base, and opening through a pore or sometimes with the spore case opening out into an irregular star-like manner. The flesh of the immature earthballs is purple, rather than white as in the puffballs. Dyeballs (Pisolithus) are also yellow to brownish to black, but in this case the spores are borne in numerous discrete clumps (peridioles) and are released by erosion of the upper surface of the spore case.
Stalked puffballs are distinctive with the globose spore mass being raised on a discrete stalk, which may be narrow and matchstick-like (Tulostoma) or relatively wide and gelatinous (Calostoma).
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Small puffballs found on soil, lacking a sterile base, and the inner spore case (tumbler) often separates at maturity and becomes blown around by the wind.
There are 4 species reported from New Zealand.
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Calostoma fruiting bodies comprise globose black to brown spore cases raised from the soil on a spongy gelatinous woven stalk. The spores are contained in an elastic inner bag inside the spore case. The narrow, branched opening is surrounded by brightly-coloured "lips".
Two species are recorded from New Zealand, both from beech forest.
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Large (usually more than 5 cm across) terrestrial puffballs found in forest and open grassy areas. The spores are released following irregular breakdown of the outer wall, rather than through a distinct pore.
There are 4 species known from New Zealand, all probably introduced.
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The earth-stars, distinctive in that the inner spore case, which resembles a simple puffball, is surrounded at maturity by the star-like arms of the outer wall layer. Geastrum species are usually found in forests, and these arms serve to elevate the inner spore case from its immediate surroundings to help with spore dispersal by wind and rain.
There are 10 species reported from New Zeala...
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Smallish puffballs found on soil, characterised by a cellular sterile base, a broad stalk of tissue which lacks spores and within which are chambers (cells) visible under the hand lens.
There are 4 species reported from New Zealand.
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Small puffballs found on decaying wood, the sterile base is absent or if present, it is marshmallow-like in consistency rather than cellular.
There are 2 species reported from New Zealand.
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The dyeballs. Fruiting bodies are medium-sized, yellow to brown to black, with a thick leathery wall. The spores develop in numerous discrete clumps (peridioles) and are released as the upper surface of the spore case breaks down.
The name dyeball arises from their use for dyeing wool in Europe.
In New Zealand there are 3 species, all confined to the thermal areas of the central North Isl...
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The earthballs. This genus is characterised by a hard, rind-like yellow or brownish spore case, with or without a stout sterile base, and opening through an irregular pore or sometimes in an irregular star-like manner. When immature the flesh inside the fruiting body is purple in colour, compared to the white-coloured flesh of puffballs.
Mycorrhizal with the tea-tree species and with exotic ...
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Small puffballs with the globose spore case raised on a discrete, narrow stalk.
There are 5 species reported for New Zealand, usually found on sand dunes.
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Small puffballs found on soil, with a distinct cellular sterile base, plus a distinct skin-like membrane (diaphragm) separating the spore mass from the base.
There is a single species reported from New Zealand.
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