Seek urgent medical attention for any ingestion.
Description
Common in Queensland. Found growing in partnership with the roots of Allocasuarina and Eucalyptus, or related species.
Roughly ball-shaped, often looking somewhat like a scaly or warty potato, 2–10+ cm in diameter, brownish and usually lacking a stem. The surface is thin to thick and a variation of light yellow, yellowish-brown to brown; smooth to sectioned into discrete plates or scales by cracks or fissures.
The interior is at first white to off-white, becoming violet to violet-black with white veins just prior to maturity. Once spores are fully mature the interior is filled with an olive-brown to brown, snuffy powder. The earth-ball may crack open at the top or split radially to release the spores.
Toxicity
Symptoms
These mushrooms may be gastro-intestinal irritants, causing abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. Onset may be 15 minutes to two hours after eating, and symptoms subside in 3-4 hours. Full recovery may take several days.
Details
Common name: Earth balls
Botanical name: Scleroderma species
Other common names: Pigskins, Poison puffballs
General description: Common in Queensland. Found growing in partnership with the roots of Allocasuarina and Eucalyptus, or related species. Roughly ball-shaped, often looking somewhat like a scaly or warty potato, 2–10+ cm in diameter, brownish and usually lacking a stem. The surface is thin to thick and a variation of light yellow, yellowish-brown to brown; smooth to sectioned into discrete plates or scales by cracks or fissures. The interior is at first white to off-white, becoming violet to violet-black with white veins just prior to maturity. Once spores are fully mature the interior is filled with an olive-brown to brown, snuffy powder. The earth-ball may crack open at the top or split radially to release the spores.
Last updated: July 2023