@wildman.steve: The giant puffball (Calvatia gigantea) is an edible mushroom species that comes up after rain in the fall. There is nothing of this size that you can confuse the mushroom with besides the plastic bag or soccer ball. Smaller puffballs include poison pigskin puffballs that are black inside. Those are poisonous. Some poisonous amanitas start off their lifecycle as a small sphere, but when you open them up you'll find a cap and gills. These are smaller than the size of your fist. When edible puffballs are opened up the flesh is white and has a spongy marshmallow-like texture. Peel the skin off the giant puffball before cooking as it can be tough to eat. The mushroom must be cooked for at least 15 minutes if not longer before consumed. Always be 100% certain of identification before using wild plants or mushrooms for food or medicine. Check out "Wildman's" books or the Foraging with the "Wildman"! app, or better yet, join one of our tours to learn hands-on! For more information, the full 2026 tour calendar, or to sign up for tours, visit our website wildmanstevebrill.com (link in bio) or call 9144009135. For Violet's walks, call or text 9147272552.#foraging #wildplants #wildfood #mushroomforaging #foraged
