Types Of Lawn Mushrooms And Identify Them

Last Updated on June 7, 2022 by Real Men Sow

Fungi can not only recycle decaying and dead matter but can also parasitize animals and plants. They cast spores into air and come in many sizes and shapes, making it easier to identify them. 

It’s fun to spot, identify and even forage wild mushrooms throughout the autumn. You’ll be able to see wild mushrooms popping up in the grass and leaf litter in many shapes and colors if you keep your eyes focused on the ground. Some people also want to identify and get rid of mushrooms on their lawn which is also discussed in our previous post.

Did you know, that you can also grow your mushrooms in coffee grounds for indoor gardening? 

Identify Lawn Mushrooms

It can be difficult to identify mushrooms, as many have similar and sometimes deadly looks. To help you find the right ones, it is a good idea for you to get a mushroom guide or book. They are especially useful for those who plan to forage in order to make sure you’re only picking the best mushrooms.

Types Of Lawn Mushrooms And How To Identify Them

Field mushroom (Agaricus campestris)

Top 4cm-10cm Wide, Convex, Expands slowly, Smooth White then scales peel over time
Stem Short and White, Narrowing at the base
Ring Thin
Gills Pink to Chocolate Brown to Deep Black
Edibility Very Edible

Yellow-staining mushroom (Agaricus xanthodermus)

Top 8cm-15cm Wide, Globe Shaped then to Broad-domed, White to Greyish Brown, Becomes Scaly
Stem White, Bulbous at the base
Ring Broad and Hangs Off, Turns Yellow if Bruised
Gills Pink to Grey
Edibility Poisonous

Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria)

Top 8cm-25cm Wide, Broad-domed, Bright Orange or Scarlet then sometimes Brownish or Yellow, Has White Warts, Easily Washed off
Stem Tall
Ring Hanging Skirt-like
Gills White and often found under birch or pine trees
Edibility Very Poisonous

Shaggy ink cap (Coprinus comatus)

Top 5cm-15cm Wide, Pale, Wooly Scales, Bell-like shape then turns Conical
Stem Up to 20cm Tall, Narrow
Gills White to Pink to Dissolving Color to Dripping Black
Edibility Edible, Tasty before turning dripping black, mildly poisonous if consumed with alcohol

Fairy ring mushroom (Marasmius oreades)

Top 2cm-5cm Wide, Pale Brown, Convex Dome then becomes floppy, Edges are wrinkled or grooved
Stem Narrow
Gills Off White then gradually expands by rings
Edibility Edible, but easily confused with a poisonous specie

Sulfur tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare)

Top 4cm-8cm Wide, Convex Dome, Bright Sulfur Yellow with Orange tints, Has a brown center 
Stem Long and Fibrous. Large Tufts Sprouts,Grows at tree stumps and logs.
Gills Yellow to Green and Brown
Edibility Inedible

 

Common ochre russula (Russula ochroleuca)

Top 4cm-10cm Wide, Convex to Flat Top, Dull Yellow, Becomes Wrinkled or Ridged
Stem Hollow and Soft
Gills White or Cream
Edibility Edible but not yummy

Liberty cap (Psilocybe semilanceata)

Top 1cm-2cm Wide, Conical, Pale Yellow with Green Tint, Slimy, Rolled Edged before Maturity
Stem White, Tall, Thin, Wavy
Gills Dark Purple-Brown
Edibility Also known as the Magic Mushroom, therefore, inedible and hallucinogenic

Giant puffball (Calvatia gigantea)

Top Up to 1m Wide, Irregular Round, White to Yellowish, White Skin Splits to Emit Brown Spores
Edibility Edible before Spores Form

Types Of Wild Edible Mushrooms

  • Giant puffball (Calvatia gigantea)
  • Hedgehog fungus (Hydnum repandum)
  • Wood ears (Auricularia auricula-judae)
  • Scarlet elf cups (Sarcoscypha coccinea)
  • Cauliflower fungus (Sparassis crispa)
  • Field blewits (Lepista personata)
  • Porcini (Boletus edulis)
  • Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Real Men Sow
Real Men Sow

Hello, I’m Pete and I’m currently based in the west of Scotland, in a small place called Rosneath, where I’m exploring my garden adventures. I personally started gardening around 6 years ago and initially, I started out by growing my favorite fruits and berries, such as strawberries, Raspberries & Gooseberries. Since then I’ve added a lot of vegetables and working closely with my neighbor, it’s been a lot of fun.