Why Are Mushrooms Growing in My Lawn?

Recent rainfall and cool weather in many parts of the state are favorable for mushrooms that you may have been seeing in lawns. While they may be a surprising sight, mushroom-producing fungi are generally not considered to be a pest because most do not cause lawn diseases. Armillaria mushrooms indicate the presence of decaying tree roots below ground. Other mushrooms decompose underground organic matter and may be considered beneficial since they make nutrients available to lawns and other plants.

Mushrooms are the visible reproductive structures of some types of fungi. Picking or removing the structures can minimize the spread to a new site, but it won't kill the underground mycelia from which the mushrooms are growing. Mushrooms come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Some common mushrooms in lawns are pictured below. You can find more information about mushrooms and what to do about them in UC IPM's Pest Notes: Mushrooms and Other Nuisance Fungi in Lawns.

 

While these mushrooms don't harm the lawn, be sure to keep them away from children and pets and do not eat wild mushrooms or other fungal fruiting bodies unless you are well acquainted with distinguishing poisonous species. If you suspect that someone has been poisoned by a plant, contact Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

 

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