Common Earthball Scleroderma citrinum
This fungus is typically has a deep yellow colouration and grows on the ground commonly throughout Norfolk, usually in woods in leaf litter or on mossy soil.
Conservation status in Norfolk
How to help
Please do not pick the fruiting bodies. These need to be allowed to produce and release their spores for reproduction.
Tony Leech
Information on the Common Earthball
How to recognise
The common earthball is usually deep yellow, slightly more elongate than spherical and with a scaly pattern on its surface. It grows on the ground and is quite variable in size from around 3–5cm. It has a thicker ‘skin’ than puffballs which splits to release the spores from the blackish mass within. Slightly less common species of earthballs have a paler surface and a short, furrowed stem.
Where to see
Common throughout Norfolk and Britain in leaf litter or on mossy soil under deciduous trees, usually in woods.
When to see
Common Earthballcan be seen in the Autumn months.
Did you know?
Common earthballs are occasionally attacked by the parasitic bolete Pseudoboletus parasiticus which appears on, or adjacent to the earthball.
Related questions
There are no questions regarding this species, perhaps you should ask us one?