✅ Edibility Note
CHOICE EDIBLE when pure white inside: CRITICAL - ALWAYS cut specimen completely in half from top to bottom. Edible ONLY if interior is completely pure white and firm like marshmallow throughout. If any yellow, brown, purple, or developing structures visible inside, DO NOT EAT. This rule prevents consuming toxic lookalikes and immature deadly Amanitas that can appear puffball-like. Discard if any hint of gills, cap, or stem structure visible inside. Cook thoroughly - excellent breaded and fried or sauteed.
Description
Massive round to oblong puffballs 8-20+ inches (can reach 5 feet), appearing like giant white soccer balls or pillows in fields. Smooth white exterior becoming yellowish-tan with age. Interior pure white and firm when edible, turning yellow-green then brown as spores mature. No stem or sterile base. Unmistakable when full-size.
Habitat & Distribution
Habitat: Saprobic in rich soil of open fields, meadows, pastures, lawns, and forest edges. Prefers nutrient-rich areas near decomposing organic matter. Common in agricultural areas, parks, and disturbed grasslands. Often appears in same location annually.
Region: Eastern North America, Midwest and Great Plains, Pacific Northwest, Southern Canada, Widespread across temperate North America
Seasonality
Late summer through fall, typically August-October. Peak fruiting after heavy late summer rains. Most abundant in September. Can appear earlier in southern regions.
Common Lookalikes
Always verify identification to avoid these similar species:
- Other Calvatia species (smaller, similar edibility when white inside)
- DEADLY: Immature Amanita buttons (ALWAYS CUT OPEN - will show developing gills/cap inside)
- Scleroderma species/Earthballs (toxic, purple-black interior, thick warty skin)
- Other large puffballs (generally edible when pure white inside)
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