Michael Davis
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that can appear overnight and are not generally troublesome to lawns. They tend to appear after rain due to absorbing water from their surroundings, which can generate an explosive force. Some mushrooms, known as bioluminescent mushrooms, glow in the dark due to a chemical reaction, and most of these mushrooms intensify their glow at night to attract insects that help spread their spores. While bioluminescent mushrooms like Panellus stipticus, Omphalotus illudens, and Armillaria gallica are known to glow at night, it is not clear if there are mushrooms that only come out at night.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Mushrooms can appear overnight after a cool night of rain. |
| Disappearance | They disappear quickly, usually by midday. |
| Cause for Concern | Mushrooms are not generally troublesome to lawns. |
| Growth | Mushrooms inflate with water, which they absorb from their surroundings. |
| Bioluminescence | Some mushrooms glow in the dark due to a chemical reaction involving luciferase and oxygen. |
| Purpose of Bioluminescence | Mushrooms light up to attract insects that help spread their spores. |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms that appear and disappear overnight
The rapid growth of mushrooms can generate significant force. For example, the stinkhorn mushroom can produce enough force to lift objects weighing up to 130 kilograms as it crunches through asphalt. This explosive growth can lead to mushrooms appearing seemingly overnight.
Additionally, certain species of mushrooms, known as bioluminescent mushrooms, have the unique ability to glow in the dark due to a chemical reaction involving luciferase and oxygen. This phenomenon, called foxfire, helps attract insects that aid in spore spreading. Most mushrooms intensify their glow at night, creating a captivating display.
While the appearance of mushrooms overnight may be intriguing, it is important to exercise caution. Some mushrooms, like the jack-o'-lantern variety, resemble edible chanterelles but are highly poisonous. It is essential to properly identify mushrooms before consumption to ensure safety.
In terms of management, mushrooms are typically not troublesome to lawns, and they usually disappear on their own without causing harm. However, if their presence is concerning, reducing the frequency of irrigation can help deter their growth, as fungi and molds thrive in damp conditions.
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Mushrooms that glow in the dark
Bioluminescent mushrooms tend to glow on a cycle, similar to the human body's circadian rhythm. They maintain themselves on a 22-hour cycle that corrects to 24 hours based on temperature. Glowing also requires energy, which is why most mushrooms intensify their glow only at night, when it is dark and most effective for attracting insects to help spread their spores.
Some notable examples of bioluminescent mushrooms include:
- Panellus stipticus: One of the brightest-glowing bioluminescent mushrooms, found globally, but only certain strains in North America are bioluminescent. They glow from the gills and mycelia, and most prominently during spore maturation.
- Mycena luxaeterna: Found in the rainforests of São Paulo, Brazil, this mushroom is dubbed the "eternal light mushroom." Its thin, hollow, gel-covered stems glow constantly with an eerie green light, while the cap does not.
- Mycena pura: Commonly known as the lilac bonnet due to its soft purple bell-shaped caps, this mushroom is found throughout Great Britain and Ireland, and less commonly in North America.
- Armillaria mellea: The most widely distributed of the luminescent fungi, found across Asia, Europe, North America, and South Africa.
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Mushrooms that grow after rain
Mushrooms are the reproductive organs of a larger fungal organism called mycelium. Mycelium is a fungus that lies dormant until it finds the right conditions to produce mushrooms to spread its spores and reproduce. Mushrooms require a lot of moisture to grow, so they often pop up after rainstorms or during the morning dew hours.
In one instance, a user on Reddit reported mushrooms growing in their garden overnight after a cool night of rain. Another user observed huge mushrooms outside in the dirt after rainfall in Texas. These mushrooms can grow rapidly, reaching heights of 8-12 inches.
The rapid growth of mushrooms after rainfall can be attributed to the mycelium pumping water into the primordia, causing rapid cell expansion. This results in the mushrooms bursting forth from the ground.
While mushrooms typically release their spores at night, they are not exclusively nocturnal. The growth of mushrooms is influenced by various factors, including moisture levels, temperature, and nutrient availability.
It is worth noting that some mushrooms, like the inky cap mushroom, have unique characteristics. The inky cap mushroom is edible but becomes poisonous if consumed with alcohol.
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Mushrooms that are edible but poisonous with alcohol
While there is no direct evidence of mushrooms that only come out at night, some mushrooms are known to appear overnight and disappear by midday. These mushrooms are likely to be the fruiting bodies of mycelium, which spread spores and then expire, leaving a strange film on the ground.
Now, when it comes to mushrooms that are edible but poisonous with alcohol, there is one notable example: the Alcohol Ink Cap, or Coprinopsis atramentaria. This mushroom gets its name from its toxic component, "coprine", which reacts with alcohol. Consuming alcohol even days before or after eating this mushroom can cause extreme nausea, headaches, and other unpleasant symptoms. The mushroom is widespread and common throughout the Northern Hemisphere, often found in urban areas, vacant lots, lawns, and grassy regions. It has a grey-brown cap that is initially bell-shaped and then flattens and disintegrates.
Another mushroom, the Shaggy Mane or Coprinus comatus, is also mentioned as being edible but similar in appearance to toxic species like the Alcohol Ink Cap. It is important for foragers to distinguish between these similar-looking mushrooms to avoid potential poisoning.
It is worth noting that some people have reported experiencing mild stomach discomfort after consuming certain wild mushrooms, such as Hen of the Woods and Chicken of the Woods, along with alcohol. Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid mixing alcohol with wild mushrooms to prevent any potential adverse reactions.
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Mushrooms that grow in lawns
Mushrooms are the reproductive part of fungi that live in the soil. They can spring up seemingly overnight, and often appear in lawns after a long rainy spell. Mushrooms thrive in environments with a combination of moisture, shade, and rich, organic material in the soil.
While some mushrooms can be harmful or toxic, most are harmless. Some mushrooms, like the ringless honey mushroom, are even safe to eat, although care must be taken not to confuse them with poisonous look-alikes like the jack-o'-lantern mushroom. The false parasol mushroom, or Chlorophyllum molybdites, is another common lawn mushroom. It is often called "the vomiter", and while it is safe to leave alone, it should not be ingested, as it can cause severe gastrointestinal distress. It also has a deadly look-alike, the Amanita bisporigera, or the destroying angel.
If mushrooms are unwelcome in your lawn, you can keep them from appearing as frequently by changing some of the conditions of your yard. Since mushrooms like shade, trimming back or thinning out branches on nearby trees or shrubs can help keep them in check. You should also avoid compacted soil, as this can lead to standing water or dampness, which encourages mushrooms. Dethatching and aerating your lawn can help improve drainage and decrease moisture. Additionally, animal waste left on the lawn can bring out mushrooms, so it's important to clean up after pets frequently.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms tend to appear at night due to the rain and cooler weather, which creates the damp conditions in which fungi thrive. However, they do not only appear at night and can also be found during the daytime.
Mushrooms rapidly inflate with water, which they absorb from their surroundings. This is why mushrooms often appear after rain, and their growth can be explosive.
Yes, over 70 species of mushrooms can glow in the dark due to a chemical reaction involving luciferase and oxygen. This phenomenon is called foxfire and occurs primarily in fungi growing on decaying wood. Some examples of bioluminescent mushrooms include Panellus stipticus, Omphalotus illudens, and Armillaria gallica.
Mushrooms that pop up overnight are not generally troublesome to lawns. However, they can be a concern if you have kids or pets that might eat them, as some mushrooms are poisonous.
