This fungus lives on dead organic matter buried in soil. It is a desert relative of Coprinus - the inky caps. The caps of Coprinus liquify releasing spores in a black slime. The cap in Montagnea in contrast splits into dry, spore-bearing discs. Coprinus mushrooms only survive a few days. Montagnea mushrooms persist for a year or more in the Mohave desert. How does it differ from stalked puffballs like Tulostoma and Schizostoma?