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Giant Puffball (Calvatia gigantea)

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This fungus can be recognised by its sheer size ranging from the size of a small football to the size of a sheep. It is roundish, sometimes with irregular lobes and fissures. It has a thick leathery skin and white flesh throughout when young. As it matures it becomes yellowish inside and eventually brown. It also becomes lighter and polystyrene like. The fungus can be found in field and hedgerows, often near nettles or other nutrient loving plants. It is fairly uncommom and fruits Summer to Autumn. It is edible when young but should not be eaten when mature. Picture taken August 27th at Flemersham, Bedfordshire.

Added:
28th Aug 2006 by Diane Earl

Subjects:
Biology, Science

Key Stages:
Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 4+

Keywords:
plant fungi wildlife poison

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