Fruit body: subglobose with a tapering lower half;15 - 30 mm tall, 10 - 40 mm diameter; blackish brown; outer surface with short pointed spines, crowded at apex; rubbing off to leave a net like pattern in older specimens. Inner wall opens by a pore to release the spores.

Stipe: not really distinct in most specimens but occasionally elongated.

Flesh: thin, white.

Gleba (Spore mass): olive-brown at maturity; flesh in stem white and spongy.

Spores:

Notes: this puffball is recognised by its subglobose fruit body, blackish brown colours and pointed spines.More information on its microscopic characters is needed to determine if it is L. nigrescens.