Plants and mushrooms
Earth-balls
 |
 |
| Common name |
|
Earth-balls |
| Botanical name |
|
Scleroderma species |
| Other common names |
|
Pigskins, Poison puffballs |
| Family |
|
- |
| General description |
|
Common in Queensland, associated with Eucalyptus or related species, growing in partnership with the tree roots. Ball-shaped, 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 divided into discrete areas by cracks or fissures; and bearing scales or warts. The interior is at first violet, with white veins, becoming brown and powdery at maturity. The earth-ball may crack open at the top or spit radially to release the spores. |
| Flowers |
|
- |
| Leaves |
|
- |
| Fruit/Berries |
|
- |
| Other |
|
- |
| 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. |
| Toxicity category |
|
2 |
| Warning |
|
Seek urgent medical attention for any ingestion. |
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