Specimen #7: Calavitia cyathiformis Mushroom Sample

Figure 1: Over view of  Calavitia cyathiformis .
Shows colors. Broken up and shows the spores
found inside

Figure 2; Closer look inside of
Calavitia cyathiformis. Spores are visible 
and abunName: Calavitia cyathiformis 

Common Name: Purple-Spored Puffball
Family: Agaricaceae
Collected Date: 10/22/16
Habitat: Scattered in rings in pastures or other grassy places, mainly found in the fall.
Location: Hiram College Field Station
Description: Nearly round when young, becoming top-shaped or pear-shaped. or round with a flattened top and narrow base. outerlayer of peridium smooth at first, but soon cracking into small, flat sclales or patches.white to tan becoming purpleish-tan. inner layer dark purple-brown, smooth, thin and delicate.
Key Used: David Arora. 1986. Mushroom Demystified.
Keying Steps:
1. Not as above... so no outer layer of fruiting body splitting into several starlike rays which unfold or bend under to expose the inner skin or spore case
2. Spore mass not containing peridoles, or if so then the peridoles are larger than grains of sand
3. Not as above.. so peridoles are absent, spores produced in a single large chamber
4. Not as above.. so skin thick or thin spore mass white when young and normally softening or becoming mushy as it darkens then becomes powdery; basidia unusually borne in a hymenium; capilitium usual present
5. Not as above.. so not underground
6. Not as above.. so no veins running through it
7. Sterile base present, often as a narrowed stemlike base beneath the spore case
8. Fruiting body medium-sized to large, rupturing irregularly
9. Sterile base present, often but not always chambered
10. Not as above.. so does not have warts
11. Not as above.. so outer body not stained yellow when bruised or rubbed
12. not with all above features.. so nor reddish or have red spots
13. spore mass distinctly purple when mature; common in grass or other open areas