Enteridium lycoperdon

Okay kiddo, have you ever seen a white, fluffy ball in the grass or in the forest? That's what Enteridium lycoperdon looks like! But this fluffy ball is actually a type of fungus, which is a group of living things that are neither animals nor plants.

Enteridium lycoperdon is also called false puffball, because it looks similar to another fungus called the puffball. But instead of releasing spores when it is bumped or squeezed, like the puffball does, Enteridium lycoperdon releases its spores in a different way.

Inside the fluffy ball are tiny structures called sporangia, which are like tiny bags filled with spores. When the conditions are just right, the sporangia burst open and release the spores into the air. The spores then float around until they find a new place to grow and become a new fungus.

Cool, huh? So next time you see a fluffy ball in the grass or forest, remember it might be a Enteridium lycoperdon, a type of fungus that releases its spores in a fun and unique way!