Giant Puffball - Calvatia gigantea

A very large white and smooth puffball, often over 50cm wide and several pounds in weight.  The shape is irregularly rounded.  It becomes brown and and the outer skin disintegrates when the spores mature.  It is attached to the ground by a root-like mycelial cord; once this breaks the spore mass is free to roll around and disperse.

size

Photograph in habitat.  Some indication of size is needed (e.g. your hand or foot)

Nutrient-rich grassland, field-edges, tall vegetation, nettle beds etc.

Usually seen in summer and autumn

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.