Scleroderma vulgare and verrucosum are general and very common over the United States. S. bovista and S. geaster have the same range but are not so common. They much resemble puff-balls, but are more pudgy, solid-looking. All are edible. Their qualities are noted under their descriptions.
Scleroderma vulgare.
A-B. Firm when young and remain nearly so when mature.
S. vulga´re Fr.—vulgaris, common. (Plate [CLXXX].) Subsessile, irregular; bark corky, hard, opening indefinitely; inner mass in which the spores are collected into little heaps separated by a few grayish woolly threads, bluish-black. Spores dingy; in the mass blackish with purple tinge, globose, warted, 9–11µ Massee.
The larger form is generally of a yellowish or brownish hue, surface warty or covered with rough scales; the smaller, stemless minutely warty, bright brown.
Under trees, etc. Often cespitose, 1–3 in. across. Peridium variable, white or pale-brown, often becoming pink when cut. Dehiscing by decay of upper portion of peridium. Massee.
Scleroderma vulgare is one of our most common and plentiful toadstools. Its hard, rough, warty, light brown knobs, single or clustered, growing along brook-banks or under trees, generally choosing hard ground, are known to all who observe Nature’s curiosities. When quite young they are white inside. As they enlarge the center darkens and this purplish color finally develops into a grayish-purplish-black which extends throughout the interior and gives it a granular appearance. The fungus is solid, cutting like a potato. Its smell is strong; also its taste when raw. Sliced and well-cooked the species is good, even after it has become purplish, but if a single one is wilted it will embitter a whole dish. Or if it is not very well stewed or fried it remains strong. In no condition is it injurious. Specimens must be pared, and the base well cut away.
S. bovis´ta Fr. Subsessile, often irregular, peridium thin, pliant, almost smooth; tramal walls floccose, yellow, mass of spores olive-brown, spores globose, warted, 10–13µ.