Another fungus please (1 Viewer)

[pianoman]

Hi - am a complete novice with fungi, but was wondering if anyone can identify the enclosed? Growing on old oak stump in broadleaved woodland, E. Ireland, Aug 8th. I probably picked it too early for good identification. Light makes it look a little yellower than it really is. Honey/brown color, 15cm across. Smells pleasantly mushroom-like - wondering if I can eat it.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Pete Mella]

Hi - am a complete novice with fungi, but was wondering if anyone can identify the enclosed? Growing on old oak stump in broadleaved woodland, E. Ireland, Aug 8th. I probably picked it too early for good identification. Light makes it look a little yellower than it really is. Honey/brown color, 15cm across. Smells pleasantly mushroom-like - wondering if I can eat it.

Thanks in advance!

I believe it's an earthball (Scleroderma). I've not got any books to hand, but it could be Scleroderma citrinum. They can cause severe stomach upsets if eaten.

 

[pianoman]

Many thanks for the quick reply Pete. Um, I'd better not eat it then
Will try to confirm the species and post it here for anyone that's interested.

 

[Pete Mella]

Many thanks for the quick reply Pete. Um, I'd better not eat it then
Will try to confirm the species and post it here for anyone that's interested

Yup, all Scleroderma are inedble (and best not to eat anything unless you're totally 100% anyway!).

Looking at the Roger's Mushrooms website it could be Scleroderma areolatum, but I'm sure someone with more mushroom knowledge than me will let you know.

http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~6766~gid~~source~gallerydefault.asp

 

[pianoman]

Thanks for the link. Looking at the Scleroderma, am thinking that citrinum looks closest to the mushroom as it appears in life (as well as being the commonest).