Scaly Earthball - Scleroderma verrucosum

A small to medium-sized earthball, with small dark scales.  It has a thin peridium or outer skin which is < 1mm wide, and which stains reddish when cut.  There is a long pseudostipe or stem.

Scleroderma areolatum, the Leopard Earthball, is very similar, but is usually smaller, has a short pseudostipe or stem, and smaller scales with a paler ring-zone.  

Photograph in habitat and in close up detail to show surface pattern;  cut the specimen vertically through the centre to show the thin peridium or outer skin and the long pseudostipe or stem; note habitat, substrate and associated tree species.  It is helpful to provide an indication of size.

Broadleaved woodlands, parkland, heathland, under deciduous trees

Summer to late autumn.

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.