A reader got in touch with the Dealer this morning to notify him of a most interesting find. Stephen Loughnane from Ballaghboy, Shinrone, Birr, Co Offaly, wrote to say he'd found this mushroom (pictured below) on the back lane to his farm today.

Stephen said he thought it was a soccer ball that had swelled from the heat before realising it is actually a mushroom.

And a rather large one at that.

Being the investigative type that he is, the Dealer got in touch with Dr Helen Grogan, mushroom expert at Teagasc.

Dr Grogan kindly confirmed to him that it is indeed a mushroom - aptly known as a giant puffball.

"This sure is a great specimen," Dr Grogan told the Dealer. "It must be at least 50 cms wide. It is genuine and must have been sitting quietly for some time to get to this big size though there has been a lot of rain and warmth recently which would have enabled it grow rapidly.

"I am not sure what the record for the biggest one is but they can get close to a metre in diameter. This one is pretty impressive."

While we're on the subject, Dr Grogan asked the Dealer to warn people to be careful if picking wild mushrooms.

"This one is probably the easiest to identify but some wild mushrooms can be toxic and it is better to get them identified by an expert."

And the good news for Stephen and his family is that Dr Grogan has confirmed that at this stage, while it is still pure white, it is edible and delicious.

The Dealer knows where he'll be having his tea tonight so.