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Western Giant Puffball
Calvatia booniana is a very large puffball of western North America, typically 15-30 cm across and sometimes over 60 cm. It is told apart from the eastern giant puffball (C. gigantea) by its whitish surface, which is sculpted into large polygonal warts and later breaks into polygonal patches. It has no sterile base, and its white interior matures through greenish yellow to olive-brown spore dust.
Edible only while the interior is completely white; discard any with yellow or green. It may have a laxative effect in some people. Trim off dirt rather than washing. Cut each one top to bottom to rule out young Amanitas, earthballs and stinkhorn eggs.
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Mycology is an evolving science: names, classifications and safety information change as research advances. Entries are compiled from cited sources and reviewed, but may be incomplete or out of date — check the sources, and never rely on this library alone to identify or eat a mushroom.
