Synonyms: Tulostoma brumale, Tulostoma campestre, Tulostoma granulosum.
Common name: winter stalkball.
Tulostoma fimbriatum is a species of fungus that belongs to the family Agaricaceae. It is characterized by its stalked, spore-bearing body with a papery to membranous exoperidium and a peristome with fringe-like appendages. In East and Central Texas, Tulostoma fimbriatum typically grows in sandy or calcareous soils, often in association with oak and pine trees. It fruits from summer to fall, producing stalked, globose to subglobose sporocarps that are 1-4 cm tall and 0.5-2 cm wide. The fungus is relatively common in the region, particularly in areas with well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade.
Stalked puffball mushrooms Tulostoma fimbriatum(?) near a sandy trail in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, February 28, 2021
Park Rd 1C, Bastrop, TX 78602, USA
Dry stalked puffball mushrooms Tulostoma fimbriatum(?) near Lost Pines Loop Trail in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, February 28, 2021Park Rd 1C, Bastrop, TX 78602, USA
Side view of stalked puffball mushrooms Tulostoma fimbriatum(?) near Lost Pines Loop Trail in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, February 28, 2021Park Rd 1C, Bastrop, TX 78602, USA
Masses of stalked puffball mushrooms Tulostoma fimbriatum(?) near Lost Pines Loop Trail in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, February 28, 2021Park Rd 1C, Bastrop, TX 78602, USA
Close-up of dry stalked puffball mushrooms Tulostoma fimbriatum(?) near Lost Pines Loop Trail in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, February 28, 2021Park Rd 1C, Bastrop, TX 78602, USA
Stalked puffball mushrooms Tulostoma fimbriatum(?) on black background taken from Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, February 28, 2021
Dry stalked puffball mushroom Tulostoma fimbriatum(?) near Lost Pines Loop Trail in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, January 21, 2023Lost Pines Trail, Bastrop County, Texas, 78602, United States
Side view of dry stalked puffball mushroom Tulostoma fimbriatum(?) near Lost Pines Loop Trail in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, January 21, 2023Lost Pines Trail, Bastrop County, Texas, 78602, United States
Spores (in lugol) of stalked puffball mushrooms Tulostoma fimbriatum(?) from sandy soil (spore light brown) collected in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, January 21, 2023
Spores (in KOH) of stalked puffball mushrooms Tulostoma fimbriatum(?) from sandy soil (spore light brown) collected in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, January 21, 2023
Spores of a dry winter stalkball mushroom (Tulostoma fimbriatum) collected in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, April 15, 2023
Winter stalkball mushrooms (Tulostoma fimbriatum) near a shed on a mowed path at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 6, 2024Burleson County, Texas, United States
Winter stalkball mushrooms (Tulostoma fimbriatum) in grass on a mowed path at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 6, 2024Burleson County, Texas, United States
Close-up of winter stalkball mushrooms (Tulostoma fimbriatum) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 6, 2024Burleson County, Texas, United States
Winter stalkball mushrooms (Tulostoma fimbriatum) on black background at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 6, 2024Burleson County, Texas, United States
Close-up of winter stalkball mushrooms (Tulostoma fimbriatum) on black background at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 6, 2024Burleson County, Texas, United States
Cross section of winter stalkball mushrooms (Tulostoma fimbriatum) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 6, 2024Burleson County, Texas, United States
Spores of winter stalkball mushrooms (Tulostoma fimbriatum) collected at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, February 6, 2024Observations of Tulostoma fimbriatum in East and Central Texas reveal that the fungus grows in sandy trails and grassy areas, often in large masses. The stalked puffball mushrooms were found in Bastrop State Park and Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. They appear to fruit in winter, with observations made in February and January. The mushrooms are dry and stalked, with light brown spores that can be observed under lugol or KOH. Close-up views show the detailed structure of the mushrooms, and cross-sections reveal their internal composition. The fungus seems to thrive in sandy soil and can be found near trails and paths, suggesting a preference for disturbed or open areas. Multiple observations over several years indicate that Tulostoma fimbriatum is a common species in East and Central Texas.
Mushroom Observer and Facebook for learning names of local mushrooms.
This web page was generated by a special script.