Bannaus

Bannaus is a genus of fungi belonging to the family Sclerodermataceae. These fungi are known for their puffball-like fruiting bodies, although they are technically considered false puffballs due to their leathery or woody texture and the way their gleba (spore-bearing tissue) breaks down into a powdery mass. The genus was first described by mycologist Elias Fries in 1829.

Species within the Bannaus genus are found in various terrestrial environments, often associated with forests. They are typically found growing on the ground, sometimes partially buried in soil or leaf litter. The fruiting bodies of Bannaus can vary in size and shape, but commonly they are globose or somewhat flattened. Their outer layer, the peridium, is usually tough and persistent.

The internal gleba of Bannaus is initially firm and fleshy but matures into a dry, powdery mass of spores. This spore mass is often dispersed by wind or by animals. Like many other fungi, Bannaus plays a role in nutrient cycling within its ecosystem. The exact ecological roles and edibility of Bannaus species are not as widely studied as some other fungal groups, and caution is generally advised regarding the consumption of wild fungi. Further research is ongoing to understand the full diversity and ecological significance of this genus.