Wildlife of Proto-Town/Fungi
Wildlife guide: Overview · Plants · Fungi · Animals · Birds · Bugs · Microbial life
Fruiting bodies can appear within hours after rain and disappear just as quickly. Mushroom identification often depends on the gills, stem base, bruising, spores, substrate, and microscopic features; a photograph of the cap alone is not enough to establish edibility.
Green-spored parasol
| Green-spored parasol | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Gilled mushroom |
| Scientific name | Chlorophyllum molybdites |
| Texan regional name | False parasol; vomiter |
| Origin | Native or longstanding cosmopolitan species |
| Conservation status | Not evaluated as threatened
|
| Hazard | PAINFUL OR SIGNIFICANT DANGER Poisonous if eaten; commonly causes severe vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. |
This large white lawn mushroom commonly appears in rings after warm-season rain. Mature gills develop a gray-green cast from the spores, but young specimens can resemble edible parasols. It is one of the mushrooms most often responsible for poisonings in North America.
Encounter guidance: Do not eat it or permit children or pets to mouth it. If ingestion is suspected, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222; save a specimen or clear photographs for identification if this can be done without further exposure.
Turkey tail
| Turkey tail | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Bracket fungus |
| Scientific name | Trametes versicolor |
| Texan regional name | Turkey tail |
| Origin | Native; widespread |
| Conservation status | Not evaluated as threatened |
| Ecological or economic value | BENEFICIAL Decomposes dead hardwood and returns locked-up nutrients to woodland soil. |
| Hazard | No special hazard label |
Turkey tail forms thin, leathery shelves with concentric bands of brown, gray, orange, or blue-gray on dead hardwood. Its pale pore surface distinguishes it from several look-alikes. It decomposes wood and returns nutrients to woodland soil.
Split-gill fungus
| Split-gill fungus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Wood-decay fungus |
| Scientific name | Schizophyllum commune |
| Texan regional name | Split gill |
| Origin | Native or cosmopolitan |
| Conservation status | Not evaluated as threatened |
| Ecological or economic value | BENEFICIAL Breaks down dead branches and weathered wood as part of natural nutrient cycling. |
| Hazard | NUISANCE / USE CARE Ordinary outdoor contact is low risk, but abundant spores can irritate sensitive people and the fungus rarely causes opportunistic infection. |
Split gill produces small gray-white, fan-shaped fruiting bodies on dead branches, logs, and weathered lumber. The underside has characteristic gill-like folds that split lengthwise when dry. It is exceptionally tolerant of drying and rehydrates after rain.
Purple-spored puffball
| Purple-spored puffball | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Puffball mushroom |
| Scientific name | Calvatia cyathiformis |
| Texan regional name | Purple-spored puffball |
| Origin | Native |
| Conservation status | Not evaluated as threatened |
| Ecological or economic value | BENEFICIAL Saprotrophic fungus that contributes to decomposition and soil nutrient cycling in grassland. |
| Hazard | NUISANCE / USE CARE Mature spores can irritate eyes and lungs. Puffballs should never be eaten based on a casual field identification because immature toxic mushrooms can be mistaken for them. |
This round to pear-shaped puffball occurs in lawns and grasslands after rain. The interior begins white and firm, then matures into a mass of purple-brown spores released through breaks in the outer wall. Kicking mature puffballs produces a dramatic cloud but unnecessarily spreads irritating spores.
Encounter guidance: Leave mature fruiting bodies undisturbed. If a spore cloud is released, move to fresh air and rinse irritated eyes; obtain medical help for breathing difficulty.
Cedar-apple rust
| Cedar-apple rust | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Plant-pathogenic rust fungus |
| Scientific name | Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae |
| Texan regional name | Cedar-apple rust |
| Origin | Native |
| Conservation status | Not evaluated as threatened
|
| Hazard | NUISANCE / USE CARE Plant-health nuisance; not considered dangerous to people. |
Cedar-apple rust alternates between junipers and trees in the apple family. After spring rain, infected juniper galls can produce startling orange, gelatinous horns; later, spots and tubes appear on apple or crabapple leaves and fruit. The growths are harmless to touch but can reduce fruit and weaken susceptible trees.
Encounter guidance: No emergency action is needed. Photograph unusual growths before pruning, and consult a horticulturist if orchard or landscape trees show repeated heavy infection.
Ringless honey mushroom
| Ringless honey mushroom | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Clustered gilled mushroom |
| Scientific name | Desarmillaria caespitosa |
| Texan regional name | Ringless honey mushroom |
| Origin | Native |
| Conservation status | Not evaluated as threatened
|
| Hazard | NUISANCE / USE CARE May cause gastrointestinal illness and has dangerous look-alikes; do not treat a wiki identification as an edibility determination. |
Ringless honey mushrooms form dense tan clusters at the base of trees, stumps, or buried roots, often after rain. The underground fungus can decay roots and contribute to the decline of stressed hardwoods. Its fruiting bodies may reveal infected wood that was not otherwise visible.
Common ink cap
| Common ink cap | |
|---|---|
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| |
| Type | Gilled mushroom |
| Scientific name | Coprinopsis atramentaria |
| Texan regional name | Inky cap; alcohol inky |
| Origin | Introduced or cosmopolitan |
| Conservation status | Not evaluated as threatened |
| Ecological or economic value | BENEFICIAL Decomposes buried and damaged wood, returning nutrients to the soil; this does not indicate edibility. |
| Hazard | PAINFUL OR SIGNIFICANT DANGER Can cause a severe flushing, nausea, and cardiovascular reaction when eaten near the time alcohol is consumed. |
Common ink caps grow in clusters from buried wood and damaged roots. As they mature, the gray caps dissolve from the edge into black, ink-like liquid. Similar species are difficult to separate in the field, reinforcing the rule that unidentified mushrooms should not be eaten.
Encounter guidance: If a mushroom was eaten and alcohol-related or other symptoms develop, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 and follow its instructions.
Dog-vomit slime mold
| Dog-vomit slime mold | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Slime mold; amoebozoan rather than a true fungus |
| Scientific name | Fuligo septica |
| Texan regional name | Dog-vomit slime mold; scrambled-egg slime |
| Origin | Native or cosmopolitan |
| Conservation status | Not evaluated as threatened |
| Ecological or economic value | BENEFICIAL Feeds on microorganisms in decaying organic matter and participates in nutrient cycling. |
| Hazard | No special hazard label |
This harmless organism can appear overnight as a foamy yellow or tan mass on mulch, decaying wood, or plant debris. It feeds on microorganisms in damp organic matter and later dries into a crusty spore mass. Its alarming appearance does not indicate sewage, animal vomit, or a threat to buildings.
Encounter guidance: Leave it to dry naturally or move it with a shovel if appearance is a problem. Avoid spraying disinfectants or fungicides, which are unnecessary and may harm other organisms.