Lycoperdaceae

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Lycoperdaceae
Lycoperdon perlatum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Lycoperdaceae
(= Agaricaceae)

Genera

Bovista
Calvatia
Handkea
Lycoperdon
Vascellum

Lycoperdaceae is a family of fungi now known to lie in the Agaricales. Historically they were placed in their own order Lycoperdales. Members of the Lycoperdaceae family are known as the true puffballs. Unlike other types of fungi that hold spores in gills or teeth, puffballs contain the spores inside a layer of tougher outer skin. When a puffball reaches maturity, the tough skin will split open, allowing the billions of spores to be released.

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