Q. These creepy white “things” keep cropping-up out of
the ground all over my backyard. What are they and are they dangerous? I am
thinking they might be a mushroom or fugus of some sort. I am concerned because
in the past, I had a serious, invasive fungal infection (aspergillus) requiring
surgery.
the ground all over my backyard. What are they and are they dangerous? I am
thinking they might be a mushroom or fugus of some sort. I am concerned because
in the past, I had a serious, invasive fungal infection (aspergillus) requiring
surgery.
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| Many different types of mushrooms can appear after a rain and there is wood in the soil or on the surface |
A. Yes, these are mushrooms (fungal) and they “feed” from
decaying wood, woodchips, particles of wood or rotting woody roots in the soil.
They are common in the spring and fall months after rains when there is wood in
the ground getting wet and rotting. The wood might be from woodchips used as a
surface mulch or signal dead and decaying roots of trees. You might see some in
compost piles as well. Oyster mushrooms, edible types of mushrooms, are
commonly grown in decaying wood chips so it can be a perfect habitat for some
types of mushrooms. But its natural for them.
decaying wood, woodchips, particles of wood or rotting woody roots in the soil.
They are common in the spring and fall months after rains when there is wood in
the ground getting wet and rotting. The wood might be from woodchips used as a
surface mulch or signal dead and decaying roots of trees. You might see some in
compost piles as well. Oyster mushrooms, edible types of mushrooms, are
commonly grown in decaying wood chips so it can be a perfect habitat for some
types of mushrooms. But its natural for them.
 |
| Sometimes mushrooms grow in woodchips and they look like mushrooms with the stalk that supports the cap |
Several
types of mushrooms appear in the cooler spring and fall months after a rain. Most
are not poisonous but that doesn’t mean they can be eaten. The mushrooms seen
can range from puffballs to traditional mushrooms to slime molds which look
like vomit on the ground. I have been told by some they can make pets sick if eaten
and may require a visit to the vet but its normally not life threatening.
types of mushrooms appear in the cooler spring and fall months after a rain. Most
are not poisonous but that doesn’t mean they can be eaten. The mushrooms seen
can range from puffballs to traditional mushrooms to slime molds which look
like vomit on the ground. I have been told by some they can make pets sick if eaten
and may require a visit to the vet but its normally not life threatening.
 |
| Sometimes these mushrooms grow beneath the soil and make fleshy underground balls |
They are
more of a nuisance to most people. To get rid of them and keep them from
spreading, vigorously rake the area when they are young and first seen to
prevent them from maturing. These mushrooms open up when mature and spread
“spores” which are their “seeds” for spreading to other wood mulch during rains.
more of a nuisance to most people. To get rid of them and keep them from
spreading, vigorously rake the area when they are young and first seen to
prevent them from maturing. These mushrooms open up when mature and spread
“spores” which are their “seeds” for spreading to other wood mulch during rains.
 |
| Sometimes they grow in piles of woodchips or compost |
I realize there are people very sensitive to the
spores of some types of fungi including mushrooms. Take some pictures of the
problem. It is best to check with a physician to be sure.
spores of some types of fungi including mushrooms. Take some pictures of the
problem. It is best to check with a physician to be sure.
 |
| Sometimes they cause an allergic reaction or a rash |