Mushrooms in lawns Suppression and control Sweat producing Clitocybe

Lawns and meadows are the favored habitat of a The "fairy ring " (Marasm;us oreades) is Suppression and Control of Fairy Ring Mushrooms A poisonous mushroom that sometimes grows in large variety of wild mushrooms that usually one of the commonest of the lawn mushrooms. It association with the "fairy ring" is the "sweat­ appear in late summer and fall. These mushrooms gets its name from its habit of growing in circles Method 1. Fertilizer and Water producing Clitocybe". It is about the same size, sometimes cause concern, whether it be fear of which may cause unsightly rings of dark green but is grayish-white with closely set gills that small children or pets eating them or simply be­ grass around a zone of dying grass. The little Spike the fairy ring to a depth of 25 cm with a extend down the stem. Any collections of mush­ cause they create on unsightly appearance. But mushrooms are 2-5 cm broad, buff tan to nearly garden fork at 10-15 cm intervals. Water in nitro­ rooms for food should be individually checked for for those who know mushrooms, some species white when dry with a tough, fibrous stem; the gills gen fertilizer (chemical). Water spiked area daily dangerous "Iook-alikes." can provide a tasty addition to the menu while under the rounded cap are whitish buff and rather for 4-8 weeks. avoiding those that are undesirable and distant from each other. Although these mush­ poisonous. rooms are edible and good, most property owners Method 2. Fu ngicidal Drench seek ways to eliminate the unsightly rings in the lawn. Some commercial fungicides, applied in water so­ lution according to instructions on the package may reduce mushroom production, but few have any effect on the spawn in the turf and soil or in eradication.

Method 3. Soil fumigation.

A drastic treatment using formaldehyde solution under polyethylene sheets which should be under­ taken only under direction of experienced hand­ Ier. This treatment can effectively eradicate the fu ngus. Canada

Pacific Forest Research Centre, 506 West Burnside Rd., Victoria, B.C., V8Z 1M5

Marasmius oreades - "Fairy ring" - Edible

Calbovista subsculpta - Puffballs are edible if pure white muscaria - Poisonous and homogeneous inside. Smooth Lepiota

The beautiful, pure-white "smooth Lepiota" (Lepiota naucina) is quite common in lawns and has a rounded cap up to 20 cm broad. It is edible for most people, but because it so closely resem­ bles the very dangerous white , great care should be taken or entirely avoided. The white gills, annulus and bulbous base on the stem are notable features fou nd both in the "smooth lepiota" and in Amanita.

Lepiota naucina - Edible but resembles poisonous white Amanitas Coprinus mushrooms Meadow mushrooms Mushrooms and forests Precautions

Two species of Coprinus mushrooms are common The "meadow mushroom" or "pink bottom" (Agari­ Mushrooms, whose true habitat is the forest, often A few precautions in using wild mushrooms. in grassy areas - the "shaggy mane" (Coprinus cus campestris) may be found in lawns but is most appear in lawns because trees are growing near­ ~ Do not use mushrooms from lawns recently comatus) and the "inky cap" (Coprinus atramen­ common in meadows where horses and cattle are by. All trees have symbiotic fungi that associate sprayed with pesticides. tarius). In both of these the gills dissolve into an kept. This mushroom is closest to the domestic with the roots, and in the fall the mushroom fruits inky black fluid when mature and are very unsight­ mushroom of commerce, with a silky white cap emerge in the grass near the trees. This group of ~ There are no simple tests which tell you which ly. However, both are edible when young, although usually 8-10 em in diameter and gills that are mushrooms, called mycorrhizal, would not be mushroom is poisonous. Discard any mush­ the "inky cap" should not be consumed with al­ bright pink when young, becoming dark brown at found in open lawns or meadows where there were rooms not positively identified. coholic beverages. The "shaggy mane" is distinc­ maturity. The "horse mushroom" ( arven­ no trees. Some mycorrhizal mushrooms are good, tive with its tall, white, barrel-shape covered with sis) occurs in a similar habitat, but is larger, with but the deadly Amanitas and other dangerous ~ Eat small amounts at first to see if there is any shaggy scales. The "inky cap" is smooth, lead gills that are beige to light pink when young. These mushrooms are also in this group. reaction. gray and con ical. two mushrooms are among the best edibles of all • Contact your local poison control group if the wild species. Coprinus comatus discomfort follows eating. "Shaggy mane" -Edible

Agaricus campestris - "Meadow mushroom" - Edible

Amanita muscaria ­ Poisonous. Comes up in lawns but is always associated t Lepiota rachodes - "Shaggy Lepiota" - Edible with nearby conifers.

Coprinus atramentarius- "Inky cap" - Edible but poisonous if consumed with alcohol - Agaricus arvensis - "Horse mushroom" - Edible