Common Puffball; Pedo de Lobo

Very widespread species. Moderate-sized puffball with a round fruit body tapering to a wide stalk, and dimensions of 1.5 to 6 cm wide by 3 to 7 cm tall. It is off-white with a top covered in short spiny bumps or 'jewels', which are easily rubbed off. When mature they become brown and a hole in the top opens to release spores in a burst when the body is compressed by raindrops, a touch, falling nuts, etc. The puffball is edible when young and the internal flesh is completely white. Laboratory tests indicate that extracts of the puffball have antimicrobial and antifungal activities.