also: ほこりたけ
common puffball; warted puffball
A type of mushroom (Lycoperdon perlatum) that releases spores like dust when mature. The name literally means 'dust mushroom'.
When mature, the common puffball releases smoke-like spores when touched.
In the woods around here, common puffballs are often seen in autumn.
Kanji spelling is rare; the word is usually written in kana.
From 埃 (hokori, 'dust') + 茸 (take, 'mushroom'), referring to the dust-like spores released when the mushroom is disturbed.