Found in my front yard yesterday
From Wikipedia:
All true puffballs are considered edible when immature, but can cause digestive upset if the spores have begun to form, as indicated by the color of the flesh being not pure white (first yellow, then brown). Immature gilled species still contained within their universal veil can be look alikes for puffballs. To distinguish puffballs from poisonous fungi, they must be cut open; edible puffballs will have a solid white interior. Some similar mushrooms have the white interior (or yellowish) but also have the silhouette of a cap-type mushroom on the interior when cut open. These are young cap-type mushrooms and may be poisonous.
So you going to risk it? Our puff balls over here are whiter than that generally, althoug there are many sorts I'm sure. Hope you're well, Kev
ReplyDeleteHey Kev, all is well for now. No I did not dare try it. In a couple days it started turning black. Word is that they are edible while fresh. But if they start turning just a bit they can give you some severe indigestion. And as I recently had some major gastric issues where I lost 20 lbs in a couple weeks I was not willing to risk it.
DeleteYou're right about the puffballs. They're good to eat, but they must be white and firm on the inside. We used to get puffballs and sponge mushrooms about the old homestead. Wild strawberries too, but you can't find those anymore.
ReplyDeleteI never had one nor seen one here on my lawn before. Having juts got over some serious "gastric issues" I was not willing to chance it this time. Perhaps if some come back next year.
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