Pisolithus arhizus

Pisolithus arhizus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Boletales
Family:	Sclerodermataceae
Genus:	Pisolithus
Species:	P. arhizus
Binomial name
Pisolithus arhizus (Scop.) Rauschert (1959)
Synonyms
Lycoperdon arrizonScop. (1786) Pisolithus tinctorius(Pers.) Coker & Couch (1928)

Pisolithus arhizus Mycological characteristics
	Glebal hymenium
	No distinct cap
	Hymenium attachment is irregular or not applicable
	Lacks a stipe
	Spore print is brown
	Ecology is mycorrhizal
	Edibility is inedible

Pisolithus arhizus, commonly known as the dead man's foot, dyeball, ^[1] pardebal, or Bohemian truffle, is a widespread earthball-like fungus.

Description

The fruiting body is 5–30 centimetres (2–12 in) tall and 4–20 cm (1+1⁄2–8 in) wide, with a thin yellow-brown to brown exterior layer. ^[2] The spores are brown. ^[2]

Dictyocephalos attenuatus is similar. ^[2]

Uses

This puffball's black viscous gel is used as a natural dye for clothes. ^[3] Pisolithus arhizus is a major component in mycorrhizal fungus mixtures that are used in gardening as powerful root stimulators. ^[4] It is inedible. ^[5]

Culture

In South Africa, it is known as the pardebal, and in Europe, it is known as the Bohemian truffle.

References

1. Wood, Michael; Stevens, Fred. "California Fungi: Pisolithus arhizus". MycoWeb.com. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
2. Davis, R. Michael; Sommer, Robert; Menge, John A. (2012). Field Guide to Mushrooms of Western North America. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 374–375. ISBN   978-0-520-95360-4. OCLC   797915861.
3. Roberts P, Evans S (2011). The Book of Fungi. Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press. p. 525. ISBN   978-0-226-72117-0.
4. Kuo M, Methven A (2010). 100 Cool Mushrooms. University of Michigan Press. p. 143. ISBN   978-0-472-03417-8.
5. Phillips, Roger (2010). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 335. ISBN   978-1-55407-651-2.

External links

• Media related to Pisolithus arhizus at Wikimedia Commons
• Pisolithus tinctorius
• Mushroomexpert.com