Pisolithus arhizus, commonly known as the dead man's foot, dyeball, pardebal, or Bohemian truffle, is a widespread earth-ball like fungus, which may in fact be several closely related species.
Description
The fruiting body is 5–30 centimetres (2–12 in) tall and 4–20 cm (1 1⁄2–8 in) wide, with a thin yellow-brown to brown exterior layer. The spores are brown.
Dictyocephalos attenuatus is similar.
Uses
This puffball's black viscous gel is used as a natural dye for clothes. Pisolithus arhizus is a major component in mycorrhizal fungus mixtures that are used in gardening as powerful root stimulators. It is inedible.
Culture
In South Africa, it is known as the pardebal, and in Europe, it is known as the Bohemian truffle.
References
External links
- Pisolithus tinctorius
- Mushroomexpert.com
