Handkea utriformis
| Handkea utriformis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Lycoperdaceae |
| Genus: | Handkea |
| Species: | H. utriformis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Handkea utriformis | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Calvatia utriformis (Bull.) Jaap. (1918) | |
| Handkea utriformis | |
|---|---|
| Mycological characteristics | |
| Glebal hymenium | |
| No distinct cap | |
| Hymenium attachment is not applicable | |
| Lacks a stipe | |
| Spore print is brown | |
| Ecology is saprotrophic | |
| Edibility is edible | |
Handkea utriformis, synonymous with Lycoperdon utriforme, Lycoperdon caelatum or Calvatia utriformis, is a species of puffball in the family Lycoperdaceae. A rather large mushroom, it may reach dimensions of up to 25 cm (10 in) broad by 20 cm (8 in) tall. It is commonly known as the mosaic puffball, referencing the polygonal segments on the outer surface of the fruiting body as it matures.
Widespread in northern temperate zones, the species is found frequently on pastures and sandy heaths. It is edible when young, has antibiotic activity against a number of bacteria, and can bioaccumulate the trace metals copper and zinc to relatively high concentrations.