Lycoperdon foetidum Bon. syn. L. perlatum var. nigrescens Pers. syn. L. nigrescens (Pers.) Lloyd Stinkender Stäubling. Fruit body 1–4cm across, 1.5–3cm high, subglobose pinched into a short tapered base, outer layer of groups of fine pointed blackish-brown spines convergent at their tips but gradually wearing off leaving a net-like pattern on the light greyish-tan inner wall which is smooth and papery, opening by a central pore. Gleba eventually sepia; sterile base, spongy, well developed, occupying up to one-half of the volume of the fruit body. Spores globose, finely spiny, 4–5um in diameter. Habitat on heaths or in coniferous or mixed woodland. Season summer to autumn. Frequent. Edibility unknown -avoid. Distribution, America and Europe.