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Flowerpot Parasol Leucocoprinus birnbaumii

Previously known as:

  • Lepiota lutea
Phonetic Spelling
lew-ko-KO-prih-nus bern-BAW-mee-eye
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Yellow parasol mushroom is easily recognizable by its small size, and bright lemon yellow oval or bell-shaped cap that fades to a white color with age.  They reach a height of 1 to 3 inches tall.  While they can grow outdoors in clusters, or singularly, they most commonly occur in potted plants, greenhouses, and compost piles where they thrive in warm, moist conditions.  In outdoor conditions, they are most often seen in the summer while in indoor conditions they appear year-round. They work to break down organic matter found in soils and they do not harm living plants. However, remove mushrooms as soon as they appear if pets or small children have access to the area.  Overwatering of potted plants can cause them to appear and they are difficult to manage once established. Fungicide applications are generally ineffective against mushrooms. 

Quick ID:

  • CAP: Small, 1-2 inches in diameter, bell-shaped, fragile, margin striate, bright yellow, and covered with powder
  • GILLS: Free from stalk, yellowish white
  • STALK: Slender, slightly enlarged at the base, covered with bright yellow powder
  • ANNULUS (ring): Bright yellow, covered with yellow powder, moveable up and down the stalk, often breaking loose
  • SPORE PRINT: White, spores ellipsoidal, smooth
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#poisonous mushrooms#mushrooms#naturalized area#woodland garden#lawn
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#poisonous mushrooms#mushrooms#naturalized area#woodland garden#lawn
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Leucocoprinus
    Species:
    birnbaumii
    Family:
    Agaricaceae
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    USA, NC
    Distribution:
    Throughout NC especially in greenhouses, and potted plants in houses and shopping malls.
    Edibility:
    NOT EDIBLE!
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 3 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 1 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Mushroom
    Poisonous
  • Leaves:
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    This species is related to species known to be toxic so should not be eaten. Symptoms may include mild to severe diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and other gastrointestinal upsets. Their exact level of toxicity is unknown.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Possibly similar to related mushrooms
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits
    Stems