· All are round to oval, pear- to turban-shaped, or irregularly rounded at some point in development
· Earthstars – nearly round at first, splitting open at maturity, forming star-like rays
· Earthballs – have a thick, hard, rind-like spore case
· Stalked puffballs – papery thin spore case, distinct stalk or stalk-like base, partially to totally buried
· Puffballs – thin spore case, often coated with spines and warts, white spore mass when young
· Found on the ground or decaying wood