Purple-Spored Puffball

The inside is soft and white at first. As the spores mature, they become violet-black to yellow-brown, then dark purple-black. Finally, the top of the puffball erodes and a large cup remains.

It can be hard to tell the immature mushroom apart from the skull-shaped puffball, which is also a choice edible, but there are no poisonous look-alikes.

Habitat

This mushroom grows in grassy pastures and suburban lawns throughout eastern and central North America.

Season

The mushroom appears in the summer and early fall, and persists through late fall.

Cooking

This mushroom is a choice edible. Trim away the cuticle (covering) if it's encrusted with dirt, and cut out any bad parts with a paring knife. Try not to wash this mushroom under water, or it will become too soggy to sauté.

Slice the puffball, sauté it, steam it, or simmer it in soups, like other mushrooms. It's also great baked or grilled. It has a sweet-savory flavor and a soft texture.

This mushroom doesn't dehydrate well. To store it long-range, cook it and freeze it.

On This Page: Description, Habitat, Season, Cooking

Mushroom Homepage, Mushroom Essentials Mushroom Cooking , Mushroom Recipes, Puffball Homepage, Puffball Overview, Back to the Top

Mushroom Homepage, Mushroom Essentials Mushroom Cooking , Mushroom Recipes, Puffball Homepage, Puffball Overview ON THIS PAGE: Description, Habitat, Season, Cooking Purple-Spored Puffball (Calvatia cyathiformis)

	Description This large, roundish, puffball, often somewhat flattened puffball can grow from 2-3/4 to 7 inches across, and from 3-1/2 to 8 inches tall. Its beige surface, smooth at first, later develops cracks.

		Purple-Spored Puffball photo by "Wildman

The inside is soft and white at first. As the spores mature, they become violet-black to yellow-brown, then dark purple-black. Finally, the top of the puffball erodes and a large cup remains. It can be hard to tell the immature mushroom apart from the skull-shaped puffball, which is also a choice edible, but there are no poisonous look-alikes. Habitat This mushroom grows in grassy pastures and suburban lawns throughout eastern and central North America. Season The mushroom appears in the summer and early fall, and persists through late fall. Cooking This mushroom is a choice edible. Trim away the cuticle (covering) if it's encrusted with dirt, and cut out any bad parts with a paring knife. Try not to wash this mushroom under water, or it will become too soggy to sauté. Slice the puffball, sauté it, steam it, or simmer it in soups, like other mushrooms. It's also great baked or grilled. It has a sweet-savory flavor and a soft texture. This mushroom doesn't dehydrate well. To store it long-range, cook it and freeze it. On This Page: Description, Habitat, Season, Cooking Mushroom Homepage, Mushroom Essentials Mushroom Cooking , Mushroom Recipes, Puffball Homepage, Puffball Overview, Back to the Top

Purple-Spored Puffball (Calvatia cyathiformis)

Purple-Spored Puffball
(Calvatia cyathiformis)