Michigan Earthball
Scleroderma michiganense · Family Sclerodermataceae · Updated October 2026
89US records
7states
Sepbusiest month
89 US records since 1903 (2 in the last 10 years)
Last seen Sep 10, 2024 (about 2 years ago) in Smith Wildlife Area, IA, photographed by an iNaturalist user, with the ID agreed on by other iNaturalist users (research grade). Most US records come from Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, and the busiest months are Sep, Aug and Oct. (Data as of October 26, 2026; records can lag by weeks.)
⚠ Never eat a wild mushroom based on this site. We show where fungi have been recorded, nothing more. We never say any mushroom is edible or safe, and you shouldn't decide that from any website, app or photo. Many deadly mushrooms look like harmless ones. If someone may have eaten a wild mushroom, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away.
Lookalike warning. Many mushrooms, including deadly ones, closely resemble each other, and the only reliable identification comes from an expert looking at the actual specimen (often with spore prints or microscopy). Never use a name, photo or record count on this page to decide what something is.
When it's recorded
Records by month, all years. Busiest: Sep, Aug, Oct.
Where it's recorded
| State | Records | Latest sighting |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 59 | Sep 7, 2017 |
| Illinois | 21 | Oct 10, 2015 |
| Minnesota | 3 | Sep 17, 2011 |
| Michigan | 3 | Sep 24, 1994 |
| New York | 1 | 2010 |
| Florida | 1 | May 9, 1944 |
| Iowa | 1 | Sep 10, 2024 |
Top counties
- Waukesha County, WI (17) · latest Aug 17, 2010
- Washington County, WI (17) · latest Jul 14, 2013
- Cook County, IL (5) · latest Sep 1, 2009
- Henry County, IL (4) · latest 1915-09
- DuPage County, IL (3) · latest Jul 15, 1995
- Milwaukee County, WI (3) · latest Sep 25, 1986
- Columbia County, WI (3) · latest Sep 20, 1985
- Green County, WI (3) · latest Sep 20, 1992
- Kalamazoo County, MI (3) · latest Sep 24, 1994
- Ogle County, IL (3) · latest 1996-09
More on this species from GBIF.
Bring along
🍄
Regional mushroom field guideSee on Amazon🍄
Folding mushroom knife with brushSee on Amazon🍄
Wicker foraging basketSee on Amazon🍄
10x hand lens / loupeSee on Amazon🍄
Spore print paperSee on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.