Admin: Added beneficial species labels

2026-07-19T07:46:02Z

Added beneficial species labels

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:46, 19 July 2026
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	\|origin=Native; widespread		\|origin=Native; widespread
	\|status=Not evaluated as threatened		\|status=Not evaluated as threatened
			\|benefit=Decomposes dead hardwood and returns locked-up nutrients to woodland soil.
	\|risk=none		\|risk=none
	\|description=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.		\|description=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.
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	\|origin=Native or cosmopolitan		\|origin=Native or cosmopolitan
	\|status=Not evaluated as threatened		\|status=Not evaluated as threatened
			\|benefit=Breaks down dead branches and weathered wood as part of natural nutrient cycling.
	\|risk=yellow		\|risk=yellow
	\|danger=Ordinary outdoor contact is low risk, but abundant spores can irritate sensitive people and the fungus rarely causes opportunistic infection.		\|danger=Ordinary outdoor contact is low risk, but abundant spores can irritate sensitive people and the fungus rarely causes opportunistic infection.
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	\|origin=Native		\|origin=Native
	\|status=Not evaluated as threatened		\|status=Not evaluated as threatened
			\|benefit=Saprotrophic fungus that contributes to decomposition and soil nutrient cycling in grassland.
	\|risk=yellow		\|risk=yellow
	\|danger=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.		\|danger=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.
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	\|origin=Introduced or cosmopolitan		\|origin=Introduced or cosmopolitan
	\|status=Not evaluated as threatened		\|status=Not evaluated as threatened
			\|benefit=Decomposes buried and damaged wood, returning nutrients to the soil; this does not indicate edibility.
	\|risk=orange		\|risk=orange
	\|danger=Can cause a severe flushing, nausea, and cardiovascular reaction when eaten near the time alcohol is consumed.		\|danger=Can cause a severe flushing, nausea, and cardiovascular reaction when eaten near the time alcohol is consumed.
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	\|origin=Native or cosmopolitan		\|origin=Native or cosmopolitan
	\|status=Not evaluated as threatened		\|status=Not evaluated as threatened
			\|benefit=Feeds on microorganisms in decaying organic matter and participates in nutrient cycling.
	\|risk=none		\|risk=none
	\|description=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.		\|description=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.

Admin: Added common fungi and look-alikes

2026-07-18T04:25:21Z

Added common fungi and look-alikes

New page

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{{Wildlife navigation}}

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==
{{Wildlife entry
|name=Green-spored parasol
|image=Chlorophyllum molybdites 2013-09-10.jpg
|type=Gilled mushroom
|scientific=''Chlorophyllum molybdites''
|regional=False parasol; vomiter
|origin=Native or longstanding cosmopolitan species
|status=Not evaluated as threatened
|risk=orange
|danger=Poisonous if eaten; commonly causes severe vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
|description=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=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==
{{Wildlife entry
|name=Turkey tail
|image=Trametes Versicolor-20191227-RM-145922.jpg
|type=Bracket fungus
|scientific=''Trametes versicolor''
|regional=Turkey tail
|origin=Native; widespread
|status=Not evaluated as threatened
|risk=none
|description=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==
{{Wildlife entry
|name=Split-gill fungus
|image=Gemeiner Spaltblättling, Schizophyllum commune-20191216-RM-152856.jpg
|type=Wood-decay fungus
|scientific=''Schizophyllum commune''
|regional=Split gill
|origin=Native or cosmopolitan
|status=Not evaluated as threatened
|risk=yellow
|danger=Ordinary outdoor contact is low risk, but abundant spores can irritate sensitive people and the fungus rarely causes opportunistic infection.
|description=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==
{{Wildlife entry
|name=Purple-spored puffball
|image=Calvatia cyathiformis 3.JPG
|type=Puffball mushroom
|scientific=''Calvatia cyathiformis''
|regional=Purple-spored puffball
|origin=Native
|status=Not evaluated as threatened
|risk=yellow
|danger=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.
|description=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=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==
{{Wildlife entry
|name=Cedar-apple rust
|image=2012-06-23 Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae Schweinitz 230353.jpg
|type=Plant-pathogenic rust fungus
|scientific=''Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae''
|regional=Cedar-apple rust
|origin=Native
|status=Not evaluated as threatened
|risk=yellow
|danger=Plant-health nuisance; not considered dangerous to people.
|description=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=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==
{{Wildlife entry
|name=Ringless honey mushroom
|image=Desarmillaria caespitosa 322845842.jpg
|type=Clustered gilled mushroom
|scientific=''Desarmillaria caespitosa''
|regional=Ringless honey mushroom
|origin=Native
|status=Not evaluated as threatened
|risk=yellow
|danger=May cause gastrointestinal illness and has dangerous look-alikes; do not treat a wiki identification as an edibility determination.
|description=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==
{{Wildlife entry
|name=Common ink cap
|image=Coprinus atramentarius2 mod (1).JPG
|type=Gilled mushroom
|scientific=''Coprinopsis atramentaria''
|regional=Inky cap; alcohol inky
|origin=Introduced or cosmopolitan
|status=Not evaluated as threatened
|risk=orange
|danger=Can cause a severe flushing, nausea, and cardiovascular reaction when eaten near the time alcohol is consumed.
|description=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=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==
{{Wildlife entry
|name=Dog-vomit slime mold
|image=Fuligo septica - Gelbe Lohblüte - Hexenbutter - 02.jpg
|type=Slime mold; amoebozoan rather than a true fungus
|scientific=''Fuligo septica''
|regional=Dog-vomit slime mold; scrambled-egg slime
|origin=Native or cosmopolitan
|status=Not evaluated as threatened
|risk=none
|description=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=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.
}}

==Sources==
* [https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/September-Horticulture-Newsletter.pdf Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: false parasols and mushroom safety]
* [https://www.poison.org/articles/wild-mushroom-warning Poison Control: wild mushroom warning]

[[Category:Wildlife of Proto-Town]]

Wildlife of Proto-Town/Fungi - Revision history

Admin: Added beneficial species labels

Admin: Added common fungi and look-alikes