Costa Rica Species
Lycoperdon perlatum
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

Lycoperdon perlatum

Common Puffball

Pers., 1796

Detailed Texts Multi-lang
Fungus with a globose or inverted pear-shaped fruiting body. Its surface is covered with small white conical warts or spines that shed easily, leaving a circular scar. Upon maturity, the interior (gleba) turns into a mass of brown spores released through an apical pore.

Added by

Anonymous Curator

Reviewed by

Under Review

Last modified by

Julia Trouin

Other Names (Global)Regional and multilingual names used for this species across different countries and languages.

Cuesco de loboBejín perladoGem-studded puffballDevil's snuff-box

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.Lycoperdon
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.Pers., 1796
Record Completeness
93%
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.

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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.

Wet Season

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

Frequently found in coniferous and deciduous forests, as well as meadows and forest clearings. It is a cosmopolitan species, present almost worldwide on humus-rich soils or heavily decayed wood.

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 is a saprophytic fungus that decomposes organic matter. Its dispersal strategy is mechanical: raindrops or passing animals press the elastic body, ejecting puffs of spores like a bellows.

Physical Measures

Length (cm)

3.0 - 8.0 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

Bellows structure that uses external kinetic energy (rain/impact) for spore dispersal.
Detachable spines that may serve as a temporary physical barrier against small insects before maturity.

Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang

Intensive harvesting in protected areas can reduce the local spore load.
Accumulation of heavy metals in contaminated soils, affecting its health and viability.

Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang

It is edible as long as the interior is completely white and firm; once it starts to yellow or turn brown, it is indigestible or toxic.
The powder from mature spores was formerly used in folk medicine to stop external bleeding.

External ReferencesScientific publications, field guides, and databases that document this species or area.