A slightly smaller version..
And then a cluster of little ones just emerging from the pelouse..
The puffball produces spores in the upper part of the fruitbody and when mature, releases these through an opening which develops in the top. The fungus relies on raindrops to perform this task. When a drop of rain falls on the upper part of the fruitbody, spores puff out of the opening, rather like miniature bellows.
When young and still white inside, this species is edible... but to date we've not been brave or adventurous enough to sample them. For now, we'll carry on buying our mushrooms from someone who knows what they're doing!
