Leopard Earthball - Scleroderma areolatum

Description

Approximately 2 to 5 cm across. The skin is smooth and creamy yellow in colour whilst the spots are brownish, numerous and rather like those of a leopard. The spores are purple-grey or blackish.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

On the ground, often under oak or other trees, and frequently near woodland edge.

When to see it

Late summer and autumn.

Life History

Usually occurs in groups.

UK Status

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland, though less common than Scleroderma citrinum.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Leopard-Spotted Earthball, Leopard Earthball
Species group:
Fungi
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Boletales
Family:
Sclerodermataceae
Records on NatureSpot:
11
First record:
24/09/2013 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
25/09/2019 (Nicholls, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records