Paul Harcourt Davies / Common earthball (Scleroderma citrinum) Campo Imperatore, Gran Sasso, Appennines, Abruzzo, Italy, May

Adrian Davies / Common earthball (Scleroderma citrinum), October.

Philippe Clement / Common earthball fungus (Scleroderma citrinum) on the forest floor breaking up to release spores in autumn, Belgium, October

Philippe Clement / Common earthball fungus (Scleroderma citrinum) broken up to release the spores in autumn, Belgium October

Ernie Janes / Earthball (Scleroderma aurantium) fungi growing amongst fallen leaves, UK

Ernie Janes / Earthball (Scleroderma aurantium) fungi emitting spores, UK

George McCarthy / Earthball fungus {Scleroderma verrucosum} UK

George McCarthy / Common earthball fungus {Scleroderma citrinum} UK

Adrian Davies / Common Earthball Fungus {Scleroderma citrinum} starting to split open to reveal spores, UK

George McCarthy / Common earthball fungi {Scleroderma citrinum} Hampshire, UK

Geoff Simpson / Common earthball fungi in woodland {Scleroderma citrinum} Cheshire, UK

David Kjaer / Common Earthball {Scleroderma citrinum} in woodland, Arne RSPB Reserve, Dorset, UK.