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Cannonball Fungus (Sphaerobolus stellatus)

The cannonball fungus (Sphaerobolus stellatus) is a diminutive mushroom with an absolutely spectacular design. Tiny, egg-like fruiting bodies emerge from decomposing wood, and crack open at the top with perfect, star-shaped margins (hence, the specific epithet, stellatus). As if its bizarre appearance weren't impressive enough, this miniature marvel can shoot its peridiole (spore mass) up to 6 meters horizontally. Keep in mind that the fruiting body is only a few millimeters tall; that's the equivalent of a man kicking a soccer ball over two miles away! This spectacular species is also known as the shotgun fungus. Bombs away!


Cannonball fungus (Sphaerobolus stellatus), mature fruiting body [left] and developing fruiting body [right]. The "ball" atop the mature fruiting body is not the actual spore mass, but rather an inflated remnant of the inner peridium that was used to launch the spore mass away. Its presence is quite an astonishing display, and a clear indication that the spores have already been released. Focus-stacked composite of 49 exposures. Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California, USA.
FUN0326


Cannonball fungus (Sphaerobolus stellatus), highly-detailed close-up of an individual fruiting body that has already launched its peridiole. Focus-stacked composite of 81 exposures at 5x lifesize. Portola Redwoods State Park, San Mateo County, California, USA.
FUN0401


Cannonball fungus (Sphaerobolus stellatus) shown with adult pinkie finger for scale. Portola Redwoods State Park, San Mateo County, California, USA.
FUN0401scale


Cannonball fungus (Sphaerobolus stellatus), fruiting body with its peridiole (the dark brown spore mass) still "loaded" within. This is the same fruiting body as shown in FUN0401, about 3.5 hours earlier. Focus-stacked composite of 66 exposures at 5x lifesize. Portola Redwoods State Park, San Mateo County, California, USA.
FUN0402


Cannonball fungus (Sphaerobolus stellatus), young fruiting bodies that have recently cracked open and have not yet launched their spores. Focus-stacked composite of 77 exposures. Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California, USA.
FUN0327

Next Mushroom: Incense-cedar cup fungus (Chloroscypha alutipes)



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All images copyright Timothy Boomer. All rights reserved worldwide.