Dusky Puffball - Lycoperdon nigrescens

Description

When mature, Lycoperdon nigrescens is normally brown to dark brown and has a strong smell. It differs from other puffballs in having tiny spikes on the surface which are tipped with fine hooks. The spines may eventually fall off leaving a net-like pattern on the surface.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Grows on the ground in various habitats such as acidic woodland, heath, sand dunes and moorland.

When to see it

Summer and Autumn

Life History

Grows either singly or in groups

UK Status

Widespread and fairly common in Britain.

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Blackish Puffball, Dusky Puffball
Species group:
Fungi
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Agaricales
Family:
Agaricaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
20
First record:
08/09/2011 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
18/11/2023 (Timms, Sue)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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