What a heap of...

…it is not what you might think,.. of Stump puffballs in impressive numbers.

Stump puffballs (previously Lycoperdon pyriforme, but recently, mycologists moved it to separate genus Apioperdon; with A. pyriforme being a proud single species in this new genus). These fungi colonise rotten stumps or fallen branches in large swarms. They are common and widespread, though this is the first time I saw them. They are more pear-shaped that other Lycoperdon species hence also called the Pear-shaped puffball signified by the Latin word “pyriforme”. The genus name, Lycoperdum in Greek means “ wolf’s flatulence”. Interestingly, these puffballs do have an unpleasant gaseous odour while other Lycoperdon species do not smell much. May be this is where the genus name came from originally. I didn’t try to smell this lot to tell the tale; may be next time. If one not put away by the smell, these fungi as many other puffballs (not to be confused with earthball fungi from genus Scleroderma that may look similar) are edible when young and have white flesh throughout when cut in half. Old Arboretum, Westonbirt near Tetbury, South Gloucestershire, England, UK

Done