Handkea Kreisel
Nova Hedwigia 48(3-4): 282. 1989.

Handkea is a genus of puffballs. All species of Handkea were previously placed in the genus Calvatia. Six of the eight known species are endemic to the western United States and occur in California.

Principle characteristics of the genus Handkea:

• Capillitium aspeptate with slit-like pits
• Endoperidium not (or weakly) dextrinoid

Keys and descriptions of the genus Handkea:

• Kreisel, H. (1989). Studies in the Calvatia complex (Basidiomycetes). Nova Hedwigia 48: 281-296.
• Zeller, S.M. & Smith, A.H. (1964). The genus Calvatia in North America. Lloydia 27: 148-180.

Handkea species known to occur in California:

1. Handkea fumosa
2. Handkea hesperia
3. Handkea lloydii
4. Handkea lycoperdoides
5. Handkea subcretacea
6. Handkea utriformis