Woodland gem-studded marvels
It’s 47 years ago today that I first noted down Common Puffballs in my nature notebooks.
The tiny gem-like spikes on the Common Puffball, Lycoperdon perlatum, shown in my pencil drawing, are fascinating. They fall off with any slight touch, leaving a reticulated pattern of pock-marks, like scars.
There are dozens here, and they’re very young with pure white flesh. They’ll be amazing sliced, coated in beaten egg and panko breadcrumbs, and fried for my tea. It would be rude not to.
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