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 echinatum
Spiny Puffball
Pers., 1794
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A distinctive, medium-sized puffball with a subglobose to pear-shaped fruiting body. The exterior surface (exoperidium) is densely covered with long, sharp, pyramidal or conical spines (up to 0.5 cm) that are often joined at the tips in small groups. The spines are initially whitish to pale brown, turning dark chocolate-brown with age, and eventually peel off to expose a smooth, beautifully reticulated inner wall with a single apical pore (ostiolo) through which spores escape.
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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.Lycoperdon
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.Pers., 1794
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.
Unknown
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
Mainly restricted to mature, undisturbed temperate deciduous forests, showing an ecological preference for chalky, calcareous, or nutrient-rich neutral soils. It grows as a humicolous saprophyte amidst deep leaf litter, rotting organic debris, and mossy banks, primarily associated with ancient beech (Fagus sylvatica) and oak (Quercus) woodlands.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
A stationary humicolous saprotroph that spends most of its lifecycle as an extensive, underground subterranean mycelial network. It continuously digests fallen organic material in mature woodlands. In late summer and autumn, the mycelium aggregates to push up the spiny puffball structures, which act as highly effective mechanical spore delivery units that rely on outside physical impacts.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
0.2 - 6.0 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
The dense armor of long, convergence-grouped pyramidal spines provides an effective structural and physical barrier that protects the delicate, water-filled developing gleba (internal spore mass) from micro-arthropod predation and heavy early-season rain impact.
Employs an efficient bellows-like hydraulic mechanism for spore dispersal. The inner peridium remains highly flexible, meaning that mechanical compression caused by falling raindrops or passing animals forces a cloud of dust-like spores out of the single apical pore.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Compaction of the forest floor due to heavy logging machinery and unregulated recreational off-trail tourism, which destroys the delicate leaf-litter balance and collapses the fragile network of underground vegetative hyphae.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
When the spines shed, they leave behind a perfect grid of tiny scars on the inner layer, giving the puffball a unique reticulated pattern that resembles miniature chainmail under a magnifying glass.