Mushrooms occurring in Europe - Lycoperdon pyriforme

Lycoperdon pyriforme - Mushroom reaches 10 - 50 mm in height and 10 - 35 mm in width; young specimens are white, later they change color to ocher and gray-brown; sporocarps have a pear-shaped shape, often with a spherical head and a long stem; verrucose, roughened to granular surface; on the top there is usually a distinct bump, which breaks during ripening and creates an opening through which the spores are released.

The stem is usually clearly distinguishable; unavailing; on the basis of visible are branched cords of mycelium.

Miąższ / inside of the fruit sporocarp in young sporocarps, compact; later the color changes to yellow, olive, and finally brown and is powdery; odor unpleasant; mild taste.

Occurrence: frequent; sporocarps grow graciously on decaying coniferous and deciduous wood; you can meet them from August to November.

Value: edible when the fruiting body is white, but not very tasty; during cooking, the pulp becomes slimy, gelatinous.