FungiHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN NEInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Not Evaluated — not yet assessed against the IUCN Red List criteria.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Calvatia gigantea
Giant Puffball
(Batsch) Lycoperdon, 1786
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A massive, globe-shaped or spherical fungus without a defined stem. The skin is smooth, white, and leather-like when young, enclosing a fleshy white interior. As it matures, the interior turns into a yellow-greenish to olive-brown powdery mass of spores, and the outer skin cracks open to release them.
Added by
Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Basidiomycota
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Agaricomycetes
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Agaricales
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Agaricaceae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Calvatia
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Batsch) Lycoperdon, 1786
Record Completeness
85%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Stable
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Decomposer
EdibilityWhether this mushroom is edible, toxic, hallucinogenic, or of unknown safety. Never eat based solely on this data.
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Cap ShapeShape of the mushroom cap (pileus): convex, flat, umbonate, funnel-shaped, bell-shaped, etc.
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Hymenium TypeThe spore-bearing surface of a fungus: gills, pores, teeth, ridges, smooth, or wrinkled.
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Fruiting SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Found mainly in temperate regions worldwide. It thrives in nutrient-rich grassy environments, such as meadows, pastures, lawns, fields, open deciduous woodlands, and along the edges of forests.SubstrateThe organic material or host organism this fungus colonizes and decomposes. Multi-lang
Information not available in English. Help us expand this record!BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
It lives underground for most of the year as a network of saprobic mycelium absorbing nutrients from organic material in the soil. During late summer or autumn, the massive fruiting bodies rapidly push through the turf, expanding within days before drying out over several weeks to disperse spores.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
10.0 - 70.0 cm
Hymenium StructuresMacro photographs of the spore-bearing surfaces used for mushroom identification.
No hymenium surface images available.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Utilizes a rapid growth mechanism driven by cellular expansion rather than cell division, allowing the fruiting body to expand from egg-sized to beach-ball-sized in just a few days following heavy autumn rains.
The powdery gleba structure combined with a brittle outer shell protects spores from premature moisture and ensures wind currents can efficiently disperse them across vast distances once the hull breaks.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Intensive agricultural activities, intensive mowing, and urbanization reduce the area of unplowed, undisturbed meadows and pastures needed for the perennial underground mycelium to thrive.
Overuse of chemical fungicides in land management directly damages the fungal population and disrupts soil ecosystems.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
A single mature giant puffball can contain an estimated 7 trillion spores; if every single spore grew into a puffball, the resulting fungi would massive enough to wrap around the Earth multiple times.
Historically, Native Americans and old medical practitioners used the dried, powdery interior of the puffball as a styptic agent to slow bleeding and pack open wounds.