Synonyms: Areolaria venosa, Scleroderma venosum.
Scleroderma texense is a species of fungus that belongs to the family Sclerodermataceae. It is a type of earthball fungus that produces underground or partially buried fruiting bodies. In East and Central Texas, Scleroderma texense typically grows in association with oak and pine trees, often in well-drained soils. The fungus has a spherical to ellipsoidal shape, ranging in size from 2-6 cm in diameter, with a thick, leathery peridium that is initially white to pale brown, becoming darker brown to black with age. The gleba is dark brown to purplish-black and has a strong, earthy odor. Scleroderma texense can be found fruiting from summer to fall in the region, often after heavy rainfall.
Tough puffball mushrooms with blackish interior (earthballs, Scleroderma texense) on Iron Bridge Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, October 8, 2008
Tuff puffball mushroom (Scleroderma texense) on roadside in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 12, 2013
Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Texture of tuff puffball mushroom (Scleroderma texense) on roadside in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 12, 2013Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Tuff puffball mushrooms (dirty tennis ball fungi, Scleroderma texense) on roadside in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 12, 2013Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Texture of tuff puffball mushroom (Scleroderma texense) on roadside in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 16, 2013Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Mature tuff puffball mushroom (Scleroderma texense) on roadside in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 16, 2013Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Cracked surface of tuff puffball mushroom (Scleroderma texense) on roadside in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 16, 2013Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Tuff puffball mushroom (Scleroderma texense) in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 3, 20171601 Valley View Dr, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Tuff puffball mushrooms (Scleroderma texense) in David E. Schob Nature Preserve at 906 Ashburn Street. College Station, Texas, November 24, 2017906 Ashburn Ave, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Tuff puffball mushrooms (Scleroderma texense) on a lawn in David E. Schob Nature Preserve at 906 Ashburn Street. College Station, Texas, November 24, 2017906 Ashburn Ave, College Station, TX 77840, USA
False puffball mushroom Scleroderma texense on a utility cutting in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 11, 2018Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Tuff puffball mushrooms (Scleroderma texense) and dyeball fungus (Pisolithus arhizus, Pisolithus tinctorius) on a flowerbed with mulch at Spence Street on campus of Texas A and M University. College Station, Texas, October 1, 2018Richardson Petroleum Engineer Bldg, 245 Spence St, College Station, TX 77840, USA
False puffball mushroom (Scleroderma texense(?)) in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, October 10, 2018Bryan, TX 77807, USA
Earthball mushrooms Scleroderma texense(?) on a lawn in David E. Schob Nature Preserve at 906 Ashburn Street. College Station, Texas, October 12, 2021906 Ashburn Ave, College Station, TX 77840, USA
False puffball mushrooms Scleroderma texense on a lawn in College Station Cemetery. College Station, Texas, October 25, 2021Texas Avenue, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77845, United States
Cross section of false puffball mushrooms Scleroderma texense on a lawn in College Station Cemetery. College Station, Texas, October 25, 2021Texas Avenue, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77845, United States
Group of false puffball mushrooms Scleroderma texense on a frequently mowed lawn in College Station Cemetery. College Station, Texas, October 25, 2021Texas Avenue, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77845, United States
False buffball mushrooms Scleroderma texense in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 1, 2021Yaupon Loop Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Earthball mushrooms Scleroderma texense on a lawn in David E. Schob Nature Preserve at 906 Ashburn Street. College Station, Texas, November 8, 2021906, Ashburn Avenue, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77840, United States
Rough skin of an earthball mushroom Scleroderma texense in David E. Schob Nature Preserve at 906 Ashburn Street. College Station, Texas, November 8, 2021906, Ashburn Avenue, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77840, United States
Earthball mushroom Scleroderma texense(?) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, December 27, 2021Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Mushrooms Panus tephroleucus together with Scleroderma texense(?) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 4, 2023Yaupon Loop Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Mushroom Scleroderma texense(?) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 4, 2023Yaupon Loop Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Earthball mushrooms Scleroderma texense on a lawn in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 16, 2023
Section of earthball mushrooms Scleroderma texense on a lawn in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, December 16, 2023The fungus Scleroderma texense was observed in East and Central Texas over a period of 15 years (2008-2023). The majority of sightings were in College Station, particularly in Lick Creek Park and the David E. Schob Nature Preserve. The fungus was also spotted in nearby Bryan and Washington. Observations were made on various substrates, including roadsides, lawns, flowerbeds, and utility cuttings. The mushrooms were often described as "tough puffballs" or "earthballs" with a blackish interior and rough skin. Some observations noted the presence of other fungi, such as dyeball fungus, alongside Scleroderma texense. The frequency and distribution of these sightings suggest that Scleroderma texense is relatively common in the region, particularly in urban and suburban areas with managed landscapes.
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