Species library · Mushrooms

common earthball: poisonous

Scleroderma citrinum

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

common earthball is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. Have every wild mushroom checked by a qualified mushroom expert before eating it.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from July to November in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland, Woodland edges, Heath & moor. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
common earthball (Scleroderma citrinum)

Photo: (c) Malte Krömer, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Malte Krömer · iNaturalist

When common earthball appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

common earthball is usually found in Woodland, Woodland edges, Heath & moor.

⚠ Look-alikes

Look up common earthball in the app

In the Forage app, common earthball has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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common earthball: common questions

Is common earthball poisonous?

Yes. common earthball is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does common earthball appear?

common earthball usually appears from July to November in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does common earthball grow?

common earthball is usually found in Woodland, Woodland edges, Heath & moor.

What can common earthball be confused with?

Toxic look-alikes: Scaly earthball, Onion earthball, Leopard earthball. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by a qualified mushroom expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits