Puff ball

[wizzbang]

While I was checking for weeds in the ornamental flower borders today I came across a big puff ball. It was about the size of a football. I touched it (gingerly) and it puffed some kind of spores out.
Does anybody know what it is? I have never seen one before. I pressed it because I thought it was a ball that had been covered I dust. It was mushroom coloured.

Lynne x

[veggiechicken]

Sounds like an old Giant Puff Ball Plants & Fungi: Calvatia gigantea (giant puffball) - Species profile from Kew
You should have found a St George's mushroom today

[KittyColdNose]

Yup, sounds like a giant puffball. I used to pick them to eat if I found them in the woods as a kid. I remember taking one to school for a project.

[Glutton4...]

We found loads in a woodland site we had to work in, a few years ago. There were at least ten of them, and we'd walked over them, releasing the spores. The Boss told everyone what they were, and that they were edible. However, sadly, my colleagues had already played footie with them by this time.

[PyreneesPlot]

Great to eat (when fresh) thick slices cooked in butter with loads of garlic and parsley, squeeze of lemon juice on toast. I've not seen one for years

[Creemteez]

Thought I'd found a SKULL! Turned out to be one of these - cooked it just as above and it was LUSH!

[wizzbang]

I thought it was a manky football. I went for another look today and it is still there. It is a bit pockmarked but I can honestly say that it doesn't look at all appetising!
I had never heard of them before this.
You live and learn don't ya!
Lynne x

[Alison]

To be honest although they look pretty amazing they don't have much taste of their own so we tend to leave them when we go foraging as there are loads of 'shrooms with much better flavour.