Dye-maker's False Puffball

This is a large broad-topped or club shaped fungus that is associated with sandy soils in open woods, commonly in areas with pines.  This fungus begins to emerge with a light, shiny puffball and then begins to elongate and the surface then becomes covered with brown spores.  It is mycorrhizal with pines and assists in the transfer of nutrients to the roots of pines.  Photo by Laurel Woodley