I came cross these mushrooms at the market in old Munich.
Giant puffballs (Calvatia gigantea) are very large mushrooms in the Agaricaceae family. Key features:
- Fruiting body: Huge smooth white ball or pear shape, 8-20 inches wide and tall, lacks a stem but has a root-like base, cracks and turns yellowish-green with age
- Interior (gleba): Pure white and marshmallow-like when immature, becoming yellowish-green and powdery as spores mature
- Spores: 3-5 Ξm, spherical, smooth, yellowish, 7 trillion per mature puffball
- Odor and taste: Mild, absorbs flavors, described as rich, earthy and nutty
- Habitat: Meadows, fields, deciduous woods, lawns, growing singly or in groups
- Season: Late summer to autumn
Leave a Reply