Species library · Mushrooms

Foraging Puffball

Apioperdon pyriforme

Typically in season from June to October in the northern hemisphere. Found in Grassland, Woodland edges, Disturbed ground. Has toxic lookalikes, so check carefully.

Puffball (Apioperdon pyriforme)

Photo: Sasata · CC BY 3.0

When Puffball is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak June to October. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in September

Where it grows

Puffball is usually found in Grassland, Woodland edges, Disturbed ground.

⚠ Look-alikes & safety

Deadly look-alikes: Death cap, Common earthball, Common puffball. Only forage with a confident ID.

Take Puffball into the field

Open Puffball in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Puffball: common questions

When is Puffball in season?

Puffball is generally in season from June to October in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Puffball grow?

Puffball is usually found in Grassland, Woodland edges, Disturbed ground.

Is Puffball safe to forage?

Deadly look-alikes: Death cap, Common earthball, Common puffball. Only forage with a confident ID. Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits