Pear-shaped raincoat (Lycoperdon pyriforme)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
- Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
- Family: Agaricaceae (Champignon)
- Genus: Lycoperdon (Raincoat)
- Species: Lycoperdon pyriforme (Pear-shaped raincoat)
Synonyms:
- Lycoperdon serotinum
- Morganella pyriformis
Fruit body:
Pear-shaped, with a pronounced "pseudo-legged", which, however, can easily hide in moss or in the substrate - from which the mushroom is perceived as round. The diameter of the fruiting body of the pear-shaped slicker in the "thick" part is 3-7 cm, the height is 2-4 cm. Color - in youth, light, almost white, as it ripens, undergoes metamorphosis until it becomes dirty brown. The surface of young mushrooms is prickly, in adults it is smooth, often coarse, with a hint of possible cracking of the peel. The skin is thick, adult mushrooms easily "peel off", like a boiled egg. The pulp with a pleasant mushroom odor and weak taste, in youth, is white, of a wadded constitution, gradually acquires a reddish-brown color, and then seems to be wholly consumed by spores. In ripe specimens of a pear-shaped slicker (as, however,and other raincoats) a hole opens in the upper part, from which, in fact, spores are thrown out.
Spore powder:
Brown.
Spread:
The pear-shaped puffball is found from the beginning of July (sometimes even earlier) to the end of September, bears fruit evenly, without showing any particular cyclicality. It grows in groups, large and dense, on thoroughly rotted, mossy wood remains of both deciduous and coniferous species.
Similar species:
The pronounced pseudopod and the way of growth (decaying wood, in large groups) do not allow the pear-shaped slicker to be confused with any other common representatives of the Lycoperdaceae family.
Edibility:
Like all raincoats, Lycoperdon pyriforme can be eaten until the flesh starts to darken. However, there are very different opinions about the advisability of using raincoats for food.
Remarks
To write something meaningful about a pear-shaped raincoat, the author needs to think hard. This is amazing because raincoats are something we encounter every day. Another thing is even more surprising. I have never seen a basket full of raincoats. Despite the fact that they grow often and everywhere, everyone knows that they can be eaten if there is nothing more, and many collect them quite meaningfully. But I have never seen a basket of raincoats alone, small white balls covered with delicate pollen. Would like to watch. It must be a very inspiring sight.