Turns out both grow in my area, and look identical to this when young. Yikes! So based on a post yesterday, I took this outside and sliced it in half. So far it looks promising (I think?) and I'm not dead yet.
This was found growing in a Colorado yard near the base of an elm tree, in an area where there are also rotting cottonwood roots. Altitude is right at 5000 feet. It wasn't my yard so I'm not sure how many days it may have been growing before I picked it today. I have put both halves in the fridge for now, is there any other information I can provide to help identify it?
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A full size copy of the inside can be viewed here: http://sourpuss.net/projects/mycology/2023-08-13/IMG_7239.JPG
Bug eaten? I didn't see any sign of bugs when I opened it up, but I assume you're saying a puffball should be completely solid inside? I've never even seen a puffball before so I really have no idea what to expect.
Regarding the shell, I should have mentioned that this one is only about 2.75" across, so it's still pretty small. Does that make a difference?
The holes on the inside say bugs to me. Puffballs are usually white. I know it's small, but the shell still looks too big, should be eggshell thin.
Imo, there are safer and tastier mushrooms out there. Like a king bolete or an oyster mushroom.
I'm actually growing pink and blue oysters myself, but I'm always looking at what's growing around me. I've seen half a dozen different types just in my yard, but I've always heard that puffballs were really good so I thought I'd give this one a chance if it could be identified. I'm still curious for an identification if there's any other info I can provide that might help.