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Gem-Studded Puffball
Kingdom: Fungi Division: Basidiomycota Class: Agaricomycetes Order: Agaricales Family: Agaricaceae Genus: Lycoperdon
Basidio puffballs grow in fields, gardens, and along roadsides, as well as in grassy clearings in woods. It is edible when young and the internal flesh is completely white, although care must be taken to avoid confusion with immature fruit bodies of poisonous Amanita species. Basidios can usually be distinguished from other similar puffballs by differences in surface texture.
The spores' surfaces have many microscopic spines and can cause severe irritation of the lung when inhaled. This condition has been reported to afflict pets that play or run where the puffballs are present. Keep your other creatures safe!