09-20-2007, 03:07 AM
Has anyone seen the bright yellow mushrooms growing in potting soil? We found them growing yesterday in a flower bed and were astounded at the bright vibrant color.
Knowing better than to touch them, I got a picture and sent it to Dr. Hemmes (a myocologist @ UH Hilo ) who told me it was Leucocoprinus birnbaumii, the "flower pot parasol." It is always
this beautiful bright yellow color and often appears in the media in flower
pots and in composted wood chips. In fact, bags of potting media regularly
come into Hilo with these mushrooms fruiting like crazy inside the
bag. This species contains gastrointestinal toxins and would make most
people throw up if they ate one. House pets occassionally eat them and get
sick. If you can locate a copy, this species is shown in the flower pot
section of my field guide Mushrooms of Hawaii.
I just never thought much about mushrooms other than the ones from the grocery store - Dr. Hemmes, I understand, at our very own UH Hilo is a world famous myocologist! Wow!
Knowing better than to touch them, I got a picture and sent it to Dr. Hemmes (a myocologist @ UH Hilo ) who told me it was Leucocoprinus birnbaumii, the "flower pot parasol." It is always
this beautiful bright yellow color and often appears in the media in flower
pots and in composted wood chips. In fact, bags of potting media regularly
come into Hilo with these mushrooms fruiting like crazy inside the
bag. This species contains gastrointestinal toxins and would make most
people throw up if they ate one. House pets occassionally eat them and get
sick. If you can locate a copy, this species is shown in the flower pot
section of my field guide Mushrooms of Hawaii.
I just never thought much about mushrooms other than the ones from the grocery store - Dr. Hemmes, I understand, at our very own UH Hilo is a world famous myocologist! Wow!