Emma Wilson
Panaeolina foenisecii, commonly known as the lawnmower mushroom, is a species of mushroom that can be found in lawns across North America, particularly in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. While it is sometimes mistaken for the psychedelic Panaeolus cinctulus or P. olivaceus, P. foenisecii is not known to produce any hallucinogenic effects, although it does contain trace amounts of psilocybin. This mushroom has a distinct appearance, with a cap that changes colour as it dries, ranging from brown or orange brown when wet to light beige or orange in the centre when dry. It is also characterised by its lack of a ring around the stem and its warty spores with a small pore at one end. While it is not considered poisonous, it is important to exercise caution when consuming any wild mushroom, and it is recommended to contact a Poison Control Centre if there are any concerns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Mower's mushroom, lawn mower mushroom, pan foes |
| Scientific Name | Panaeolus foenisecii, Panaeolina foenisecii |
| Size | Cap: 1–3 cm in diameter |
| Shape | Hemispherical to conical when young, later more flattened, but often with a low central bump |
| Colour | When wet, the surface is completely brown or orange brown. As they dry, caps often develop a dark brown band around the margin, then a light band, then an orangish-brown central disc. After losing more water, caps become light beige, orangish in the centre. |
| Texture | The cap surface is matte, not shiny. |
| Odour | Indistinct |
| Spores | Warty spores with a small pore at one end |
| Psychoactive Properties | Slightly hallucinogenic, but do not contain enough psilocybin or psilocin to get you high unless consumed in large quantities |
| Toxicity | Not poisonous, will not kill you or your pets |
| Edibility | May be edible, as eating five or fewer lawnmower's mushrooms did not cause significant illness in children in Germany and Switzerland |
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What You'll Learn
- Panaeolus foenisecii, also known as the lawn mower's mushroom, is slightly hallucinogenic
- The species is not poisonous and won't hurt your dogs
- The mushrooms are good for the soil in your lawn
- Panaeolus foenisecii is often mistaken for the psychedelic Panaeolus cinctulus or P. olivaceus
- Eating five or fewer lawnmower's mushrooms did not cause significant illness in children in Germany and Switzerland
Panaeolus foenisecii, also known as the lawn mower's mushroom, is slightly hallucinogenic
Panaeolus foenisecii, commonly known as the lawnmower's mushroom, is a species of mushroom that can be found throughout North America. It is especially common in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and along the East Coast. While it is sometimes mistaken for the psychedelic Panaeolus cinctulus or P. olivaceus, P. foenisecii is only slightly hallucinogenic and is not poisonous.
The lawnmower's mushroom gets its name from its tendency to grow on lawns, where it is frequently encountered by people and their pets. It has a distinctive appearance, with a cap that changes colour as it dries. When wet, the cap is completely brown or orange-brown, but as it loses water, it develops a dark brown band around the margin, followed by a light band, and finally an orangish-brown central disc. Eventually, the cap becomes light beige with an orange centre. The cap is also matte, not shiny, and can be slippery when wet.
In terms of size, the caps of lawnmower's mushrooms are typically 1-3 cm in diameter. They are hemispherical to conical when young and become more flattened as they mature, often with a low central bump. The gills of these mushrooms are broadly to narrowly attached and moderately close together.
While P. foenisecii is not considered toxic, it is important to correctly identify this species before consuming it, as other similar-looking mushrooms may be poisonous. In addition, although it is only slightly hallucinogenic, consuming large quantities of this mushroom could potentially lead to more pronounced effects. Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid ingesting any mushrooms that cannot be positively identified.
In summary, Panaeolus foenisecii, or the lawnmower's mushroom, is a common species of mushroom in North America that is slightly hallucinogenic but not poisonous. It has a distinctive appearance that changes as it dries, and it plays an important role in providing nutrients to the soil in lawns. While it is not considered dangerous, proper identification is crucial to avoid accidental consumption of toxic mushroom species.
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The species is not poisonous and won't hurt your dogs
Mower's mushrooms, also known as Panaeolus foenisecii, are not poisonous and will not hurt your dogs. They are sometimes mistaken for the psychedelic Panaeolus cinctulus or P. olivaceus, which share the same habitat and have similar physical characteristics. However, P. foenisecii can be differentiated by their purple-brown to purple-black spores, and the fact that they do not produce hallucinogenic effects. While they are not poisonous, they are slightly hallucinogenic, but they do not contain enough psilocybin or psilocin to get you high unless consumed in very large quantities.
P. foenisecii is a common species of mushroom that can be found throughout North America, particularly in lawns in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and along the East Coast. They are also found in Coastal BC and the Pacific Northwest. This species is often referred to as the "lawn mower's mushroom" due to its propensity to grow in lawns. They have a distinct appearance, with caps that change colour as they dry out, ranging from brown or orange-brown when wet to light beige or orange in the centre when dry. The caps are also matte, not shiny, and can have a low central bump.
While P. foenisecii are not poisonous to dogs or humans, it is always important to properly identify any mushroom before consuming it. If you are unsure about the identity of a mushroom, it is best to contact your regional Poison Control Centre or a mycology expert for advice. In addition, while these mushrooms may not be toxic, consuming large quantities of any mushroom could potentially cause stomach upset or other adverse effects.
It is worth noting that some people may have individual sensitivities or allergies to certain mushrooms, so it is always advisable to consume any new food item in moderation to ensure no adverse reactions occur. Additionally, it is important to supervise dogs when they are outdoors to prevent them from consuming any mushrooms or other substances that could potentially be harmful.
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The mushrooms are good for the soil in your lawn
Mowers mushrooms, or Panaeolus foenisecii, are often found on freshly laid sod. They are small, with slender stems and slightly rounded conical caps that range in colour from tan to medium brown. While they are not harmful to your lawn, you can easily control their growth by reducing the frequency of watering.
Mushrooms in your lawn are usually a sign of healthy soil. They develop from spores that spread by wind or other means. These spores can lie dormant in the soil for years until conditions are favourable, such as during warm, humid, and rainy summers, at which point they grow very quickly.
Mushrooms are beneficial because they help decompose organic matter, breaking down grass clippings and roots from dead trees, thereby stimulating microbial activity and releasing more nutrients into the soil. They are a sign that nature is at work in the soil, and that your lawn is receiving plenty of water.
While mushrooms can be an eyesore, they are generally harmless. They can be removed by plucking or pulling them out by hand, or by simply mowing over them. However, it is important to note that removing the fruiting body of the mushroom will not remove the underlying fungus, as the mycelium is underground and invisible. To minimise fungal growth, ensure proper soil drainage and reduce thatch through aeration. Soaking the area in sunlight and removing decomposing plant material can also help to limit mushroom growth.
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Panaeolus foenisecii is often mistaken for the psychedelic Panaeolus cinctulus or P. olivaceus
Panaeolus foenisecii, commonly known as the mower's mushroom, is a small brown mushroom that is often mistaken for the psychedelic Panaeolus cinctulus or P. olivaceus. This is likely due to their shared habitat and similar appearance. However, there are several ways to differentiate between these species.
P. foenisecii is a very common and widely distributed mushroom often found on lawns throughout North America. It has a cap that is 1 to 4 cm across, with a brownish colour when moist and a tannish colour when dry. The gills are broad and brown, with lighter edges that become mottled as the spores mature. The spore print is deep brown, sometimes with a purplish tint, and the stipe is fragile and hollow. While it contains serotonin, 5-HTP, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, it does not produce hallucinogenic effects and only contains trace amounts of psilocybin.
On the other hand, P. cinctulus and P. olivaceus are both psychedelic mushrooms that contain the hallucinogen psilocybin. They can be distinguished from P. foenisecii by their jet-black or black spore prints, respectively. P. olivaceus also has a slightly thicker stem and darker gill coloration when mature. P. olivaceus is a widely distributed mushroom that grows in rich grassy areas across North and South America, while P. cinctulus is also found in similar habitats.
It is important to correctly identify these mushrooms as consuming psychedelic mushrooms can lead to a variety of effects, including hallucinations and altered perception. Misidentification can also lead to ingesting toxic mushrooms with potentially harmful consequences. Therefore, it is always recommended to exercise caution and properly identify mushrooms before consumption.
In summary, P. foenisecii is a common lawn mushroom that is often mistaken for its psychedelic cousins, P. cinctulus and P. olivaceus, due to their similar appearance and habitat. However, P. foenisecii can be differentiated by its brownish cap, lighter gill edges, and deep brown spore print, while the psychedelic varieties have jet-black or black spore prints and, in the case of P. olivaceus, a darker gill coloration.
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Eating five or fewer lawnmower's mushrooms did not cause significant illness in children in Germany and Switzerland
Panaeolus foenisecii, commonly known as the lawnmower mushroom, is a species of mushroom that can be found on lawns. While it has been listed as a psychoactive species in older literature, it does not produce any hallucinogenic effects and is not known to have caused significant illness.
In Germany and Switzerland, there have been reports of children consuming five or fewer lawnmower mushrooms with no significant adverse effects. Lawnmower mushrooms are sometimes mistaken for the psychedelic Panaeolus cinctulus or P. olivaceus, which share the same habitat. However, they can be differentiated by their jet-black spores and the lack of a viscid cap, which refers to a slimy or sticky substance on the cap of the mushroom.
Lawnmower mushrooms are not considered poisonous and are unlikely to cause harm to humans or animals. In fact, they are known to be beneficial to the soil in lawns. They contain serotonin, 5-HTP, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, but only in trace amounts. While they are slightly hallucinogenic, they do not contain sufficient amounts of psilocybin or psilocin to cause psychoactive effects unless consumed in large quantities.
It is important to note that consuming any mushroom with unknown properties carries inherent risks. While lawnmower mushrooms may not cause significant illness in small quantities, it is always advisable to properly identify mushrooms and exercise caution before consuming them. Proper identification can be achieved through spore prints and utilizing resources such as mycological guides and expert advice.
In summary, eating five or fewer lawnmower mushrooms is unlikely to cause significant illness in children or adults, as evidenced by the experiences in Germany and Switzerland. However, it is essential to correctly identify mushrooms and avoid consuming unknown species to prevent potential health risks.
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Frequently asked questions
Mower's mushrooms, or Panaeolina foenisecii, are slightly hallucinogenic but do not contain enough psilocybin or psilocin to get you high unless consumed in large quantities.
Mower's mushrooms are not poisonous and will not hurt children or pets. However, if consumed, it is recommended to contact your regional Poison Control Centre.
Mower's mushrooms are common in lawns and can be identified by their hemispherical to conical caps, which are 1-3 cm in diameter. The colour of the cap changes as it dries, from brown or orange brown when wet to light beige or orange when dry.
