lycoperdon

[Gr. lykosa wolf, and per domai to break wind backward.] Bot .: Puff-ball; a genus of fungals, order Gasteromycetes or Lycoperdaceæ, sub-order Tri chog as tres. It has a double peridium, the outer coat breaking into warts, spines, scales, . Lycoper don bovista is eatable. The dry ma of threads and spores may be used as a styptic. I. giganteum, a large, indehiscent species, has also been used as a styptic and for tinder; the fumes produce the effect of chloroform. L. gemmatum is the Common Puff-ball.