They are often found in abundance on decayed logs, old stumps, and on the ground about stumps where the ground is especially full of decayed wood. They are found from August to October.
Lycoperdon cruciatum. Roth.
Photo by C. G. Lloyd.
Figure 467.—Lycoperdon cruciatum.
Peridium broadly ovate, often much depressed, plicate underneath, with a cord-like root; cortex a dense white coat of convergent spines, which at maturity peel off in flakes, as can be seen in the photograph, revealing a thin furfuraceous layer of minute yellowish scales covering the inner peridium. The subgleba broad, occupying about one-third of the cavity. The spores and capillitium are dark-brown. This species is very hard to distinguish from Wrightii. It was once called separans because of the fact that the outer coat separates, or peels off, so readily from the inner peridium. Found in open woods, or along paths in open woods or pastures.
From July to October.
Lycoperdon Wrightii. B. & C.
Edible.