Image - Wikimedia / Rae Allen from Brisbane, Australia
The world of mushrooms is very wide, so much so that many people are curious to know the different species. And there is some that is really peculiar, like the Leucocoprinus birnbaumii.
This name probably doesn't tell you much, but what if I told you it's known as pot yellow? The thing can change; In any case, so that there is no doubt, I am going to tell you what are its characteristics and where is it located.
Origin and characteristics
Image - Wikimedia / Zinnmann
It is a species of mushroom native to the tropical and subtropical regions of America, but it is very frequent also in greenhouses and in flowerpots that are in temperate climates. Its scientific name is, as we said, Leucocoprinus birnbaumii, and is characterized by having a yellow body, hence it is called potted yellow.
The hat measures up to 10cm in diameter, and acquires a campanulate to extended conical shape. The cuticle has very fine scales, bright yellow to golden in color. The foot is cylindrical, lemon-yellow, with a swollen base. As it ages, or if it is manipulated, the lower part darkens.
It is eatable?
No. The meat gives off a somewhat unpleasant odor, and although the taste is sweet, it can cause stomach problems.
Control of Leucocoprinus birnbaumii in greenhouses and pots
Image - Wikimedia / Ryan Van Gelder
Fungi appear when humidity is very high and temperatures are warm. Therefore, if we overwater the plants or if we keep them in a closed place like a greenhouse, the chances of them appearing are quite high. Because, care must be taken to water only when necessary, and it is also highly advisable to do preventive treatments with copper or powdered sulfur (you can get it here) to prevent them from appearing.
Has it been useful to you? 🙂
I have potted mint and yellow mushrooms appeared, I want to know if they contaminated the earth and the mint plant, if I should
get rid of the pot with all its contents.
Thank you in advance.
Hello Juana.
No, do not worry. These mushrooms are very common in pots, and appear when the ambient and / or soil humidity is high. Here You have more information.
My advice is that you treat with fungicide to prevent, but boy, they are not a serious problem. Yes, water little your mint, about 2 or 3 times in summer and once a week the rest of the year. It resists drought well, not excess water.
Regards!
"In fact, as a rule - there may be exceptions - any mushroom that is brightly colored is poisonous or toxic."
In mycology there is no STANDARD that indicates that a species is toxic or not, much less the colors; there are deadly species of dull colors such as Amanita verna, Amanita phalloides, Amanita virosa and several species of Lepiotas, and many other very toxic ones also of dull colors such as Entoloma sinuatum to mention a few, and there are many species of bright colors that are edible, Lacterius spp, Amanita caesarea, Chroogomphus spp, Chantarellus spp… and many more. As a fan of mycology, I advise you to remove that comment from your article to avoid possible confusion for your readers.
regards
Joseph Becerra
Thank you very much, José Becerra.
We change it.
A greeting.