Rare Yellow Puffball Mushroom Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

A unique yellow puffball mushroom has been discovered in Longding district, Arunachal Pradesh, by scientists from ICAR-KVK. This finding highlights the region's rich fungal diversity and may represent one of the earliest documented records of Bovista colorata in the area. The discovery emphasizes the ecological importance of puffball fungi and the need for further research into the macrofungal diversity of the Eastern Himalayan region. Detailed studies are required for taxonomic confirmation and to understand the ecological and economic significance of these fungi.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 7, 2026, 10:55 IST

Significant Discovery in Longding District

The yellow-coloured puffball mushroom

Itanagar, June 7: A remarkable find of a yellow puffball mushroom has been made in the Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh, showcasing the state's rich yet largely unexplored fungal diversity.

This specimen was identified by a research team from ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Longding, during their field exploration in Zedua village on June 4. The mushroom was observed growing on decaying wood and nutrient-rich soil.

Dr. Deep Narayan Mishra, a Subject Matter Specialist in Plant Pathology, has provisionally classified the specimen as Bovista colorata, known as the yellow puffball mushroom, due to its unique yellow, globular fruiting body and puffball-like structure. However, further microscopic and molecular analyses are necessary for definitive taxonomic validation.

A preliminary literature review indicates that there are no existing records of this species from Longding district, making this discovery potentially one of the first documented instances of Bovista colorata in the area, thus significantly contributing to the macrofungal diversity known in Arunachal Pradesh.

Unlike typical mushrooms, puffball fungi generate spores within a closed, spherical fruiting body. As they mature, these spores are dispersed into the environment through wind, rain, or physical disturbances.

Experts emphasize that puffball species are crucial for ecological balance as decomposers, facilitating nutrient recycling, carbon cycling, and soil formation. Certain species are also recognized for their nutritional benefits and bioactive compounds that may possess medicinal properties.

This discovery highlights the urgent need for systematic surveys, herbarium documentation, and DNA studies of wild macrofungi in the Eastern Himalayan region to enhance understanding of their ecological and economic importance.

The documentation was carried out by Vikas, SMS (Horticulture), and Dr. Amit Kumar, SMS (Land and Water Management Engineering), along with other staff members from KVK.