Fauna
Fungus · GBIF taxon 2536054

Purple-spored Puffball

Calvatia cyathiformis

Also known as Cup-shaped Puffball, Purple Puffball

Purple-spored puffballs emerge as rounded, pale brownish-white globes in open grasslands, pastures, and sun-bathed lawns. As the fruiting body matures, its leathery outer skin breaks open to reveal a purplish to dark violet-brown spore mass inside. After releasing millions of airborne spores, the papery, cup-shaped base often persists for months through autumn and winter.

GrasslandDecomposerSpore Dropper
Purple-spored Puffball reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Saprobic (decomposing organic matter)
Predators
  • Slugs
  • Fungus gnats
  • Rodents
ThreatsHeavy pesticide application, habitat loss to urban development
HabitatsGrasslands, pastures, lawns, prairies
Life spanFruiting body lasts 1–3 weeks; subterranean mycelium lives for years
Classification
  1. OrderAgaricales
  2. FamilyLycoperdaceae
  3. GenusCalvatia
  4. SpeciesCalvatia cyathiformis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Many wild mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never ingest wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Spore Dusting: Lightly tapping a dry, mature fruiting body releases a cloud of purple spores.
  • Habitat Scouting: Look for these distinctly shaped fungi after soaking rains in undisturbed meadows.
  • Base Inspection: Look for the cup-shaped, sterile base remaining late into the season.
Related species
Keep collecting in Fauna

Found in Collections

Species set Pro

Fungi Forager

Purple-spored Puffball is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.

Unlock to track progress

Continue in the app
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…