Species library · Mushrooms

Foraging Mosaic Puffball

Bovistella utriformis

Typically in season from August to October in the northern hemisphere. Found in Grassland, Scrub & hedgerows. Has toxic lookalikes, so check carefully.

Mosaic Puffball (Bovistella utriformis)

Photo: (c) Zac T., some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zac T. · iNaturalist

When Mosaic Puffball is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak August 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

Mosaic Puffball is usually found in Grassland, Scrub & hedgerows.

⚠ Look-alikes & safety

Deadly look-alikes: Death cap (immature button stage), Common earthball, Common puffball. Only forage with a confident ID.

Take Mosaic Puffball into the field

Open Mosaic 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.

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Mosaic Puffball: common questions

When is Mosaic Puffball in season?

Mosaic Puffball is generally in season from August 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 Mosaic Puffball grow?

Mosaic Puffball is usually found in Grassland, Scrub & hedgerows.

Is Mosaic Puffball safe to forage?

Deadly look-alikes: Death cap (immature button stage), 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