Syn. Calvatia cretacea (Berk.) Lloyd.
Phylogenetic analyses clearly show that it is a member of Lycoperdon subg. Utraria, Calvatia septentrionalis M. Lange, C. horrida M. Lange and Lycoperdon bellii Peck are closely related, presumably synonymous.
Other arctic-alpine puffballs are often misidentified for and confused with L. cretaceum.

A species with a circumpolar distribution in arctic-alpine areas of the northern hemisphere. Fruitbodeis appear in open arctic-alpine grassland and heathland on calcaereous soil. Overgrowth due to abandoned reindeer grazing causes habitat decline. Global warming is a considerable ongoing and future threat to arctic-alpine environments. Suggested assessment VU (A)

Lycoperdon cretaceum has a circumpolar arctic-alpine distribution in the northern hemisphere. Most frequent in arctic regions, scattered records from the Alps. Many records referring to young immature specimens are often misidentified and belong to other arctic-alpine puffballs (cfr Photo gallery on GBIF).  Records from outside of the arctic-alpine vegetation are doubtful and should be revised.

Appr number of occurrences (GBIF - Lycoperdon cretaceum + C. cretacea) < 800
Appr. number of known localities 500

Estimated number of localities 1000
Estimated number of functional individulas: 2000
Estimated number of mature individuals: 20000

EOO: 7600000 km2
AOO: 1200 km2

Ongoing habitat decline.

Arctic-alpine heathland and grassland on calcareous soil. Often in Dryas-vegetation of northern Europe. Rarely found in light subalpine woodland (open spaces, roadsides).

Global warming is a considerable threat causing habitat decline (overgrowth). Also abandoned rein-deer grazing is a threat (overgrowth).

The phylogentic relationships (and likely synonymisation) among some of the arctic-alpine “Calvatia” species trated by Lange (1990) should be investigated.