Specimen #13: Smooth Earthball

Schleroderma cepa

NOTE: THIS PUFFBALL IS NOT EDIBLE!

Figure 1. Schleroderma cepa

Figure 2. Schleroderma cepa skin

Figure 3. Mature spores of Schleroderma cepa

Figure 4. Stalk of Schleroderma cepa

Figure 5. Mycelium of Schleroderma cepa

Phylum: Basidiomycota
Family: Schlerodermataceae
Species: Schleroderma cepa
Common name: Smooth Earthball
Collection date: 10/8/2015
Collector: Caroline Kaylor Georskey
Habitat: This specimen was found growing above ground on the soil and deadwood at the James H. Barrow Field Station.
Description: This puffball was growing above ground on the soil and on deadwood. When young, it was white in color, but has turned a tan to brown with age (fig. 1 & 2). Some cracking has also occurred with age, but it has remained firm (fig. 2) . This is a smaller specimen that ranged between 1-4 cm in diameter. A small stalk was present in one specimen (fig. 4)  At the base of the earthball, there is a thick mycelium is present (fig. 5). When mature the spores are a dark blackish gray (fig. 3).
Key used: Arora, D. (1986). Mushrooms demystified (2nd ed.)

Key to the Gastromycetes, p. 67
1. Fruiting body differently constructed and usually larger than aove...
2. Not as above (but fruiting body may be slimy or malodorous at some stage)...
3. Stalk absent or rudimentary...
7.Spore case rupturing or disintegrating at maturity; spore mass firm and solid when young (chambers if present hardly discernible), powdery or cottony when mature annd usually dispersing fairly soon; columella (internal stalk) typically absent; mature fruiting body usually (but not always) above the ground; found in many habitats...

Lycoperdales & Allies, p. 677
1. Not as above (fruiting body may rupture in starlike fashion, but if so then there is no separate spore case within)...
2. Spore mass not containing peridioles, or if so then the periodoiles  consierably larger than grains of sand (usually appearing more like seeds)...
4. Not as above; peridioles absent; spores produced in a single large chamber (the spore case)...
5. Spore case typically hard or tough with a thick rindlike skin, at least when young; spore mass white when very young but soon darkening (usually purple-gray to black) while remaining firm, eventually becoming dark brown to blackish and powdery; basidia not borne in a hymenium; capillitium absent...

Schleroderma , p. 707
1. Not as above; mature spores ornamented; found underground or above; common...
2. Not as above; fruiting above the ground, or if underground then usually with an obvious base or point of attachment; peridium not  marbled in cross-section; spores borne on basidia...
3. Not as above; either peridium thinner (averaging 1-4 mm) or not rupturing into starlike lobes;fruiting body fairly small to medium-sized (rarely large)...
4. Not as above ("stalk" if present shorter and/or habitat different)...
5. Not as above; peridium typically smooth (at least when young) but often becoming fisured or cracking and peeling to form scales in age...
7. Spores spiny but not reticulate...

Scleroderma cepa

For more information on Schleroderma cepa please review the following links:
http://www.mushroomexpert.com/scleroderma.html
http://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/species/Scleroderma_cepa.html
http://eol.org/pages/1009576/overview