Hare puffball

Handkea lycoperdoides, commonly known as the hare puffball, is a saprophytic fungus belonging to the Agaricaceae family. While it is not a primary plant pathogen, it is often a concern for turf managers and gardeners who notice its presence in lawns and managed landscapes where decaying organic matter is abundant.

As a saprotroph, the fungus plays a vital role in decomposing organic material in the soil. Unlike parasitic diseases, it does not infect living plant cells, but its mycelial network can sometimes compete with root systems for moisture and nutrients, occasionally leading to localized patches of thin or stressed turf in areas of dense growth.

Symptoms of its presence include the emergence of small, spherical, white or tan-colored fruiting bodies on the soil surface. As the fungus matures, the interior turns into a powdery mass of spores, which are released into the air when the outer skin ruptures, often due to physical impact or rain, allowing the fungus to colonize new areas.

Development is primarily driven by high soil moisture levels, poor drainage, and the presence of significant amounts of organic matter, such as old mulch or buried wood. It thrives in shaded environments with restricted airflow, which prevents the soil from drying out and creates the moist microclimate necessary for the mycelium to produce fruiting bodies.

Management strategies focus on cultural practices rather than chemical fungicides. Recommended steps include:

• Improving soil drainage through aeration.
• Reducing the amount of surface organic debris or thick mulch.
• Ensuring adequate sunlight exposure for turf areas.
• Removing fruiting bodies mechanically before spore dispersal occurs.