Scleroderma citrinum “Scaly Earthball” Basidiomycota
Seeley Lake, MT
September 13, 2014
Robert Niese
Earthballs are relatively common puffball-like fungi that form specialized relationships with the roots of many conifers here in the PNW such as Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine. Recent research suggests that these fungi may help young trees colonize abandoned mining sites that have been contaminated with heavy metals such as copper and arsenic.
Northwest Naturalist 