We live in Northwestern Ontario and were at the Cottage in Dorion Ontario and found these fungi at the base of some of the pine trees on our property. We are wondering what they are and if they are dangerous. When you step on them they explode, they are filled with fluid and the inside is almost jelly-like. Any information you would have would be great! Thanks
Puffballs or Earthstars, members of the Gastermocytae. This is my best guess without close-up photos. I am sure there is a guide to fungi for Ontario with species information. These look very mature, but don't worry the'll be back somewhere in the area another year.
Interesting! They certainly look like puffballs, but that usually means that they are filled at this stage with dry spore powder than puffs out. Fluid jelly inside suggests something else, though I wonder if there are conditions could cause a spore mass to become gelatinous. Please note however that I'm not familiar with the fungi in your area. I'm flipping through Mushrooms of Northeast North America by the wonderful George Barron, looking for ideas. Stinkhorn eggs are certainly gelatinous inside ... but yes the photo looks more puffball-ish. What is the approximate diameter of these, and are they on soil? What colour is the mass on the inside? Any chance of a closeup photo? Did they look very different before the hole on top, or perhaps did they start with a hole already there? Inquiring minds await! :-) cheers, frog
