The fruit has extracts that can inhibit growth of several bacteria, that can be pathogenic~

Known as the Spiny Puffball, the fruit section while edible when young and tender, have also shown in tests to have extracts that can inhibit growth of several bacteria, that can be pathogenic, and, or cause disease in humans. When young they are white as in these photographs, turning a chocolate brown as they mature, becoming more difficult to view this time of year, as they blend in with fallen leaves~