The Purple-spored Puffball is a grassland decomposer that can be found in summer through fall. It is a common mushroom widely distributed across the globe. It can be found alone, in groups, or in fairy rings.

Calvatia cyathiformis is generally pear-shaped to loaf-shaped. The exterior can be colored white to tan to brown and develops a "mud-cracked" pattern after being exposed to the sun. The interior begins white when young, transitioning to a purplish color towards the top and olive at the base when mature.

August 4th, 2023 Field Notes - Indian Cave State Park

• Growing gregariously in recently hayed grassland field.
• Fruiting body skull-shaped, with subtle cracking texture on top.
• Outer layer easily peelable.
• White interior.
• Smell: not distinctive.
• Taste: not distinctive.
• KOH: slightly yellow on pseudostipe.