Lycoperdon

Lycoperdon is a genus of puffballs, belonging to the family Agaricaceae. The genus has a widespread distribution and contains about 50 species.

Taxonomy

The genus was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The name Lycoperdon is derived from the Greek words λύκος (lykos, "wolf") and πέρδω (perdo, "to break wind"), hence, "wolf-fart".

Description

Species of Lycoperdon are characterized by their round fruit bodies, which puff out clouds of spores when they burst. The outer surface of the fruit body is covered in spines or warts. The spores are produced internally, in a mass called the gleba. The gleba is initially white and firm, but becomes brown and powdery when the spores mature.

Species

Some of the species in the genus Lycoperdon include:

• Lycoperdon perlatum – The common puffball
• Lycoperdon pyriforme – The pear-shaped puffball
• Lycoperdon umbrinum – The umbral puffball
• Lycoperdon marginatum – The marginate puffball

Edibility

Many species of Lycoperdon are edible when young, when the gleba is still white and firm. However, care must be taken to avoid confusion with immature, poisonous Amanita species.

See also

• List of Agaricaceae genera
• List of Lycoperdon species

References

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External links

• Lycoperdon at MushroomExpert.com

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