Common puffball
A species of Lycoperdon, Also known as Gem-studded puffball, Wolf farts Scientific name : Lycoperdon perlatum Genus : Lycoperdon
Common puffball, A species of Lycoperdon
Also known as:
Gem-studded puffball, Wolf farts
Scientific name: Lycoperdon perlatum
Genus: Lycoperdon
Photo By Jason Hollinger , used under CC-BY-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
These puffy mushrooms grow in small groups on the forest floor. Once they're mature, common puffballs turn yellow and "puff out" smoke-like spore clouds when disturbed. Be very careful when identifying these mushrooms, as their young, immature form looks very similar to the lethal Deathcap.
Colors
Brown
White
Habitat
Roadside verges, grassy areas, and particularly leaf-littered forests of all types are the preferred habitats for common puffball mushrooms. They grow in detritus like leaf litter, fallen needles, and dung.
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People often ask
General Info
Toxicity
The common puffball is toxic in its mature state. When there are the slightest traces of yellow, brown, or green on the fruitbody, it means that the common puffball started producing spores. In this mature state, it should not be collected and eaten. What's more, the spores of the mature common puffball and all other mature puffballs, should not be inhaled due to the direct relation of its spores with the respiratory disease called Lycoperdonosis.
Edibility
Common puffball is reported to be edible, but only when it is young and pure-white. It is no longer edible once it begins to yellow or produce olive-green spores. Make sure the cap is still soft to the touch and that there is no sign of immature gills or a stem. Edible puffballs will feel marshmallow-like.
Habitat
Roadside verges, grassy areas, and particularly leaf-littered forests of all types are the preferred habitats for common puffball mushrooms. They grow in detritus like leaf litter, fallen needles, and dung.
Growth Form
Saprobic; solitary, scattered, gregarious, clustered
Sporocarp Height
3-10 cm
Cap Diameter
1.5-6 cm
Endangered Species
No
Habit
Saprophytic
Substrate
On soil
Smell
Mild and mushromy
Spore Print
Brown
Species Status
Least Concern
Distribution Area
North America, Europe, Northern Asia
How to identify it?
Similar Species
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Club fungi Class
Mushroom-forming fungi Order
Gilled fungi Family
Agaricaceae Genus
Lycoperdon Species
Common puffball 
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