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Calostoma fuscum (Berk.) Massee Ann. Bot. (London) 2: 43 (1888) |
 Image © Patricia Jordan Reproduced by permission Common Name: Pretty Mouth |
Calostoma fuscum is a puffball with a stem composed of strands of gelatinised material. The puffball consists of a small rubbery sphere which is initially covered by a brown warty cap. The spores are ejected through the brightly-coloured opening at the top of the puffball when rain falls on the outer surface. |
Consists of a small, rubbery sphere 15-25mm broad, with a small opening at the top surrounded by a tiny, raised, red 'mouth'. When immature, the sphere is covered by a brown, warty, semicircular cap which can sometimes be found lying below mature specimens.
Up to 20mm wide x 80mm tall, consisting of a multitude of partially joined and intertwined strands of gelatinised material.
White. The spores are ejected through the opening when droplets of rain fall on the spherical sac which contains them.
On the ground amid leaf litter in moist woodlands and forest.
Bougher, N & Syme, K. Fungi of Southern Australia, pp. 112-113
Last modified on 28 May 2001
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