Langermannia gigantea (Batsch ex Pers.) Rostk. syn. Lycoperdon giganteum Batsch ex Pers. syn. Calvatia gigantea (Batsch ex Pers.) Lloyd syn. Lasiosphaera gigantea (Batsch ex Pers.) Smarda Riesnbovist Vesse-de-loup géante, Giant Puffball. Fruit body 7–80cm across, subglobose, whitish and leathery, the outer wall breaking away to expose the spore mass, attached to the substrate by a root-like mycelial cord which breaks leaving the fruit body free to roll around and so scatter the millions of spores. Gleba olivaceous-brown and powdery at maturity; sterile base absent or rudimentary. Spores tawny brown, globose, finely warted, 3.5–5.5m in diameter. Habitat in gardens, pasture and woods. Season summer to autumn. Uncommon but locally frequent. Edible when still white and firm – good. Distribution, America and Europe.