Common names: leopard earthball, Puffball-like Scleroderma.
Extract from Wikipedia article: Scleroderma areolatum is a basidiomycete fungus and a member of the genus Scleroderma, or "earth balls."
German: Leopardenfell-Hartbovist, Hungarian: Leopárd-áltrifla, Polish: Tęgoskór lamparci, Russian: Ложнодождевик пятнистый, Swedish: Rutig rottryffel, Welsh: Coden smotiog.
Scleroderma areolatum is a species of fungi that belongs to the family Sclerodermataceae. It produces subterranean or partially buried fruiting bodies that are round, warty, and 2-6 cm in diameter, with a short stalk. The peridium is thick and warty, and the gleba is dark brown to purplish brown. In East and Central Texas, Scleroderma areolatum typically fruits from June to October, often in association with oak, pine, or other tree species. It can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, savannas, and urban areas. The fungus is considered inedible due to its bitter taste and potential toxicity.
Leopard earthball mushrooms Scleroderma areolatum in deep shade in an oak forest near a trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 26, 2020
14802 Rock Prairie Rd, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Leopard earthball mushrooms (Scleroderma areolatum) on a wet log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 5, 2021LSHT Little Lake Creek Loop, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Leopard earthball mushrooms (Scleroderma areolatum) on a mossy log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, October 21, 2021Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Leopard earthball mushrooms (Scleroderma areolatum) on a rotting log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 6, 2022Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Spores of leopard earthball mushrooms (Scleroderma areolatum) in iodine solution, collected in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, June 6, 2022
Spores of leopard earthball mushrooms (Scleroderma areolatum) in KOH solution, collected in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, June 6, 2022Observations of Scleroderma areolatum in East and Central Texas reveal that the fungus typically grows in shaded areas, often near trails and water sources. In Lick Creek Park, College Station, it was found in deep shade in an oak forest. In Sam Houston National Forest, it was observed on wet logs, mossy logs, and rotting logs along Caney Creek Trail. The sightings occurred at various times of the year, including May 26, 2020, June 5, 2021, October 21, 2021, and June 6, 2022. Spore samples collected in Sam Houston National Forest were examined in iodine and KOH solutions on June 6, 2022. The fungus appears to thrive in moist environments with abundant organic matter, suggesting a preference for humid, shaded areas with decaying wood.
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