gleba

Gleba is the spore-bearing tissue inside certain fungi, most notably the gasteroid forms such as puffballs and stinkhorns. The term marks the fertile inner mass as distinct from the outer peridium, or shell, that encloses it.

In puffballs (order Lycoperdales) and earthstars (Geastrum), the gleba fills the interior cavity and consists of spores embedded in a gelatinous or powdery matrix. As the fruiting body matures, the gleba typically changes color—from white to olive, brown, or black—reflecting spore development. When mature, the outer covering ruptures or the fruiting body dries to release the spores.

In stinkhorns (family Phallaceae and related groups), the gleba is often a viscous, foul-smelling layer that coats the internal surfaces of the receptacle or cap. The odor attracts insects, which help disperse the spores.

The word gleba comes from Latin gleba, meaning soil or earth, a reference to the earth-colored interior seen in some species. The concept is especially used for gasteroid and stinkhorn fungi; many other mushrooms do not have a clearly defined gleba.