How to Hunt for Giant Puffball Mushrooms

Tracking down a basket full of giant puffball mushrooms (Calvatia booniana) can be a rewarding experience. Whether hunting them to clean and eat or just adding them to a photo collection, these giants can be easily found throughout the world. Edible members of the species are often used in recipes.

Things You'll Need

Basket
Gloves

Gardening tools

Instructions

- 1
  Notice that true giant puffball mushrooms have no gills inside their caps. Several of the amanita mushroom varieties are often look-alikes for the giant puffball.
- 2
  Note that the giant puffball mushroom has a layered skin that exhibits a bright white appearance when they are immature. Some varieties of this species are very round and others have a pear-like appearance.
- 3
  Find recipes for giant puffball mushrooms. Some are best fried in "steak" portions while some are cubed and added to soups and stews.
- 4
  Discover the pitcher puffball mushroom (Vascellum pratense), which exhibits a brown, papery skin when dry.
- 5
  Identify the pear-shape puffball (Lycoperdon pyriforme) by its egg-like appearance. These mushrooms typically grow on rotting wood, yet will often sprout up from soil saturated with remains of wood.

How to Hunt for Chanterelle Mushrooms in Oregon

How to Hunt for Shaggy Mane Mushrooms

Growing Mushrooms