Giant Puffball (Calvatia giantea)

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Fruit body: 12-80cm Ball-shaped. White or off-white when young, later brown. The skin is smooth and leathery.

Stem: Rudimentary or abscent. The body is attached to the ground by a root-like cord.

Spores: Brown

Flesh: White and firm when young, later brown and powdery

Habitat: Pasture land, sometimes open woodland.

Frequency: Common

Season:  Jan  Feb  Mar  Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct  Nov  Dec 

Edibility: Good

Eating notes: The usual recommendation is to slice around 1cm thick, coat in breadcrumbs and fry. It can also be diced and added to other mushroom dishes.

Preserving: Can be frozen.