Large Puffball Mushrooms

[Mushroomfinder]

I was taking a walk in a small park in southeastern Minnesota that had a pond on one side and a wooded slope on the other side. There was an area with dense brush cover that helped block direct sunlight that extended upward. I noticed what appeared to be a somewhat deflated volleyball about 20 feet up into the woods. Using small trees to help me up the incline I approached it to find something I have never seen in the flesh, a huge Puffball. I have found smaller ones around the softball size that were good and ate them in the past. I ended up locating 6 of these monsters in close proximity. 4 of them had gone past their prime, turned color, and had to be thrown. 2 of them were marshmallow white throughout and good to eat. The problem is there is so much in one of these you can't keep it long enough to eat it all. The 4 pictured in a group whole were no good. One of the good ones is pictured in a large plastic grocery bag skinned and cut into sections. Are the chances good they will reappear in the same area next year? If I would have spotted them toward mid to early August, they would have all been good to eat.

[JOHNY]

Remember that spot and hope for good rains next year

[Noah Sutton]

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[martaqbgjo]

On 8/24/2025 at 6:43 PM, Mushroomfinder said:

I was taking a walk in a small park in southeastern Minnesota that had a pond on one side and a wooded slope on the other side. There was an area with dense brush cover that helped block direct sunlight that extended upward. I noticed what appeared to be a somewhat deflated volleyball about 20 feet up into the woods. Using small trees to help me up the incline I approached it to find something I have never seen in the flesh, a huge Puffball. I have found smaller ones around the softball size that were good and ate them in the past. I ended up locating 6 of these monsters in close proximity. 4 of them had gone past their prime, turned color, and had to be thrown. 2 of them were marshmallow white throughout and good to eat. The problem is there is so much in one of these you can't keep it long enough to eat it all. The 4 pictured in a group whole were no good. One of the good ones is pictured in a large plastic grocery bag skinned and cut into sections. Are the chances good they will reappear in the same area next year? Visit  https://vegasnowcasinoauss.com/ for the latest offers, enticing bonus programs, and our comprehensive game library. If I would have spotted them toward mid to early August, they would have all been good to eat.

Wow, that's an incredible find! A giant puffball like that is a real treasure. Southeastern Minnesota is a great area for mushrooms, and that description of the habitat – dense brush, shaded slope, near water – is perfect for them. You're right to be cautious about identifying them, but it sounds like you have experience with puffballs and knew what to look for.