Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Lycoperdon

Lycoperdon

1 9.9
A round puffball fungus that narrows to a soft base and releases a puff of spores when pressed
  • noun
  • /ˌlaɪkəˈpɜrdən/
  • Specialized
: Lycoperdon
  • The Lycoperdon produces a puff of spores when pressed or stepped on.

Examples

  • The Lycoperdon is commonly found in grassy areas.

  • Mycologists often study the unique shape of Lycoperdon fruiting bodies.

  • Several species of Lycoperdon can be found in deciduous forests.

  • Have you ever seen a Lycoperdon in the wild?

  • The rounded shape of the Lycoperdon makes it easy to identify among other fungi.

  • When stepped on, the Lycoperdon releases a cloud of spores into the air.

  • Puffballs like the Lycoperdon can be found in grassy areas after rain.

Surface Forms

Lycoperdon singular
Lycoperdons plural

Etymology

Lycoperdon comes from two Greek words: lykos meaning 'wolf' and perdon meaning 'to fart', so the name literally means 'wolf-fart'. The name helps you remember that these puffball fungi release a quick puff of spores when touched.