Exploding Mushrooms? Fungi ID PLEASE!!!

Pendula · 1st September 2009, 01:25 PM

We have an old cedar tree in the yard and today I walked outside and stepped on what appeared to be a flower shaped mushroom. It popped open and a brown, thick smoke came out of it! Should I worry about these? I have kids that play out there and concerned because there are so many of them.

Note: They have no stems like a mushroom does and the rounded "pod" in the middle is the part that bursts. Also, there are a ton of millipedes under them.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Pendula · 1st September 2009, 01:31 PM

Another pic I forgot to attach.

Sean Freeman · 1st September 2009, 08:51 PM

You have posted pictures of Geastrum sp quite possibly Geastrum triplex or collared earthstar fungi.

They are not edible and some people do have a sensitivity to the spores which can be forced out when they are trodden on as you describe.

I would not personally think that they should be considered a significant risk to your children but direct inhailation of the spores could cause problems.

They are mycorrhizal so are one of the (very many) good guy fungi in terms of their relationship to trees.

1st September 2009, 01:25 PM	#1
Pendula Sappling Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 5	Exploding Mushrooms? Fungi ID PLEASE!!! We have an old cedar tree in the yard and today I walked outside and stepped on what appeared to be a flower shaped mushroom. It popped open and a brown, thick smoke came out of it! Should I worry about these? I have kids that play out there and concerned because there are so many of them. Note: They have no stems like a mushroom does and the rounded "pod" in the middle is the part that bursts. Also, there are a ton of millipedes under them. Thanks in advance for any help. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Therrin; 2nd September 2009 at 03:48 AM. Reason: pics embed

1st September 2009, 01:31 PM	#2
Pendula Sappling Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 5	Re: Exploding Mushrooms? Fungi ID PLEASE!!! Another pic I forgot to attach. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Therrin; 2nd September 2009 at 03:48 AM. Reason: pic embed

1st September 2009, 08:51 PM	#3
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 2,129	Re: Exploding Mushrooms? Fungi ID PLEASE!!! You have posted pictures of Geastrum sp quite possibly Geastrum triplex or collared earthstar fungi. They are not edible and some people do have a sensitivity to the spores which can be forced out when they are trodden on as you describe. I would not personally think that they should be considered a significant risk to your children but direct inhailation of the spores could cause problems. They are mycorrhizal so are one of the (very many) good guy fungi in terms of their relationship to trees.

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