One of the less commonly seen earthballs, the Leopard Earthball occurs on sandy soil and most commonly under oaks. It is not easy to distinguish from the Scaly Earthball, Scleroderma verrucosum, frequently growing in similar habitat. The tufts of brown scales on Scleroderma areolatum are supposed to be surrounded by whitish rings, but this does not always show clearly. Spore characters are the only reliable way to separate them. Spores are larger with rather longer spines. Not common but widespread in Notts.
