Earthballs

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of fungus producing spherical fruiting bodies that commonly grow underground or in forested areas; it can be associated with tree roots in a symbiotic relationship; these organisms are often found in various soils and play a role in nutrient cycling
2. Fungi that develop rounded, often dark-colored structures resembling balls, which release spores when mature and may be edible or toxic; they form part of the mycorrhizal network, aiding in plant growth; their appearances vary widely according to species
3. Spherical reproductive structures formed by certain fungi, usually found buried in soil or leaf litter, contributing to ecosystem health; their unique morphology helps in spore dispersal once they rupture; these entities can vary significantly in size and texture

Etymology: "Earthballs" is the plural of "earthball", a round underground fungus. The noun is a plain compound of "earth" and "ball", with nothing hidden in it: the fungi are named for their shape and their habit of growing in the soil. Their rounded fruiting bodies sit at or just below ground level, so the name describes exactly what a gardener would see when turning over the dirt.

Synonyms: gasteroid fungi, scleroderma, earth fungi