Pistle-shaped Puffball - Lycoperdon excipulifoprme (Bull.) Kreisel - Cyprus

Handkea excipuliformis, or Lycoperdon excipulifoprme commonly known as the pestle puffball or long-stemmed puffball, is a species of the Agaricaceae family. A rather large puffball, it may reach dimensions of up to 12 cm (4.7 in) broad by 20 cm (7.9 in) tall. Widespread in northern temperate zones, it is found frequently on pastures and sandy heaths.

Like all puffballs, Handkea excipuliformis has a gasteroid basidiocarp, meaning the spores are produced internally, and are only released as the mature fruiting body ages and dries, or is broken. Young puffballs are typically 6 to 12 centimetres (2.4 to 4.7 in) across, white, or pale grey-brown;in maturity it may attain dimensions of 12 centimetres (4.7 in) broad by 20 centimetres (7.9 in) tall. The underside of the puffball is attached to the ground by a root-like assemblage of hyphae called a rhizomorph. This fungus comprises two parts. The upper, globe-like section, which is white at first and turns ochre as it ages, is initially covered in soft, pointed warts; these fall off to leave a smooth, matt surface. Inside this rounded head the spores develop. The brown spores are released into the air; this process is often hastened by rain, or by being trodden on by cattle. Eventually, all that remains is the sterile pestle-shaped base.

The stipe expands once the head has ruptured and released the spores and then remain intact throughout the winter and into the following summer. It is parallel or slightly tapering in at the base; spongy; surface soon becoming wrinkled; initially white with pointed warts, but later turning ochre and becoming smooth and leathery

Common and widespread from late summer until autumn. The pestle puffball Grows singly or in small groups in humus soil in both coniferous and broadleaf woodland and on short grassland. Frequent beneath hedges, on wasteland and in all kinds of woods; particularly common on the edges of woodland clearings
This fairly large puffball is edible only when the spore bearing flesh is young, and white. The taste and odour are not distinctive. Edible only when young and white throughout. It tastes very similar to the giant puffball, but the flesh is not quite as firm and the outer skin should be removed

.From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Mathiatis 14/12/2012 by George Konstantinou