Scientific Name
Scleroderma aurantium
Common Name
Earthball, Pigskin Poison Puffball
Anatomy of a Mushroom

Plant Pathology Information Note

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

Characteristics

Mushroom Description
FRUITING BODIES roundish to oblong, 2-4 inches wide by 1-3 inches high; brown to yellow brown; covered with small, dark brown, rough warts. PERIDIUM or rind thick, yellow brown, interior surface of peridium yellow. GLEBA (interior or spore mass) white initially becoming marbled purple and finally purple brown to dark brown as spores become mature.
Origin
USA, NC
Distribution
Throughout NC but more frequent in the western mountains.
Where Found
Forest or natural area, landscape. Singly, or in small groups on soil or rotted wood in mixed conifer-hardwood forests.
Mode
Ingestion
Poisonous Part
Mushroom
Symptoms
Patient may experience vomiting, sweating, pallor weakness, and unconsciousness. Symptoms may develop in 30 to 45 minutes but there is no consistent time frame known. There is some indication that ingestion with alcohol may have an additive effect.
Edibility
NOT EDIBLE!
Comments
This fungus is also known as Scleroderma citrinum. Technically this fungus is not a mushroom; rather it is in a group of fungi called puffballs. The spores are formed inside an enclosed fruiting body and becoming dusty at maturity at which time the fruiting body breaks open allowing the spores to be windblown away.
Severity
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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