cheat on through the woods , you spot what looks like a small , chunky white potato poking up from the leaf litter . Upon close review , you realize it ’s not a vegetable at all , but rather a fungus mimicking the appearance of a potato . While eatable fantastic mushroom can be forage if identified aright , fungi that resemble Irish potato are often venomous and should be avoided .
The Deceptive Earthball
One of the most common fungous imposters is the earthball mushroom , known scientifically as Scleroderma . With its round , chunky shape and dull tan color , it ’s promiscuous to mistake an hard-skinned puffball for a tasty tuber . However , this is a potentially dangerousdoppelganger .
Earthballs belong to a group known as “ class Gasteromycetes ” or “ venter fungi . ” Unlike mushrooms , they do n’t have gills on the bottom of their caps . rather , hard-skinned puffball contain powdery spores within their inner flesh . Scleroderma coinage diffuse their spores by cracking overt irregularly once mature .
While not deadly , earthball can cause severe gastrointestinal issues if ingested . Consuming even a lowly amount may chair to intense vomiting , making them a mushroom to avoid .
The Tricky Potato Earthball
Perhaps the most potato - similar earthball is Scleroderma bovista , commonly called the “ potato puffball . ” Aptly bring up , this fungus looks like a chunky , dirt - incrust potato pushing up from the soil . Its cutis is tan and covered in chocolate-brown warty scales , add to its tuber camouflage .
Inside , the Solanum tuberosum earthball ’s flesh is marbled white at first before plough dark purple - brown in adulthood . Its powdery spores are brown and round , with lilliputian spines covering their airfoil . This is one earthball that can gull even experienced foragers due to its uncanny resemblance to an actual murphy .
Don’t Be Fooled by the Common Earthball
Another deceiving doppelganger is Scleroderma citrinum , lie with as the “ common hard-skinned puffball . ” It has yellowish , scaly hide and run to fruit in fogyish woods and forests . This species is so convincing it has been passed off as truffle in the past tense , despite its toxicity .
The common false truffle ’s Department of the Interior start out off lily-white before transforming into a violet - black spore bulk . When it ruptures , powdery blackened spores are dispersed into the surroundings . Consuming any part of this fungus leads to austere gastrointestinal problems , so it ’s critical to decently describe it .
Lookalikes Versus Lookalikes
While earthballs pretend to be potatoes , other toxic fungi mimic the appearance of safe , edible specie . For example , the “ untrue morel ” Gyromitra esculenta looks exchangeable to the seek - after morel mushroom but contains toxin that can be calamitous if eaten raw .
There are also poisonous Amanita mushrooms that closely resemble choice eatable specie . Consuming a decease cap mushroom cloud for example can be lethal due to its amatoxins . Err on the side of caution if an eatable mushroom lookalike is discovered .
When in Doubt, Throw it Out
It ’s easygoing to be fooled by fungi that resemble crazy victual . From young earthball to suppurate earthballs , potatoes to morels , mimicker bristle in nature . One small nibble of a toxic lookalike can induce hours of torment .
The earthballs that play the role of tubers are some of the most convincing vicious imposter out there . Their warty brown skin and chunky form screams potato , but have one would be an unhealthy choice .
When forage for fungus , call up the erstwhile proverb “ When in incertitude shed it out . ” Proper identification is all important to head off intoxication . If a mushroom gives you interruption , do n’t eat it ! Foraged solid food should only be run through if identified with 100 % certainty . With fungi it ’s ripe to be dependable than sorry .
Identification Tips for Earthballs:
Safe Alternatives:
When searching for wild victual , stick to well identified mintage . Be especially cautious with kingdom Fungi , as poisoning risks abound . Avoid any suspicious “ spud ” discovered outdoors , and forage safely !
Blight: 5 Ways to Control Potato Blight (Late Blight)
FAQ
What character of mushroom-shaped cloud count like a tater ?
How do you get rid of earthball ?
What are the symptoms of earthballs ?
Is Scleroderma cepa poisonous ?
