Lycoperdon perlatum             Gem-Studded Puffball

Fruitbodies are pear-shaped to top-shaped, with a sterile, stalk-like base and measure up to six cm tall by 5 cm wide.  They are white at first, turning brown to red-brown in age.   The outer wall of cone-shaped spines gives an attractive appearance.  The spines slough off with age or weathering. leaving a network of scars over the surface.   It fruits on the ground in humus or wood debris.   All of the small puffballs are edible when still white inside but I have never been impressed with the flavour and many are virtually tasteless.