Michael Davis
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that typically thrive in moist environments. They can be found in various colours, including yellow. Yellow mushrooms, scientifically known as Leucocoprinus birnbaumii, are commonly found in indoor potted plants, gardens, and natural habitats. They are characterised by their bright yellow colouration and can have bell-shaped or flat caps with a diameter of up to three inches. These mushrooms are not harmful to plants and may even provide benefits by converting organic matter into nutrients. However, they should be kept out of the reach of children and pets as their toxicity to humans and animals is uncertain. In addition to L. birnbaumii, other species of yellowish mushrooms include the golden oyster, golden ear, and yellow pholiota, each with distinct features and distributions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Mud puppy mushrooms, golden oysters, golden ears, yellow pholiotas, yellow parasol, flower pot parasol, painted dapperling, plantpot dapperling, yellow houseplant mushroom, lemon-yellow lepiota, yellow pleated parasol |
| Botanical name | Leucocoprinus birnbaumii |
| Former name | Lepiota lutea |
| Colour | Creamy yellow to bright yellow, sometimes with brown spots |
| Cap size | 1-3 inches across |
| Cap shape | Oval, bell-shaped, marshmallow, umbrella, flat parasol |
| Stem size | 2-3.5 inches tall |
| Stem shape | Narrow near the cap and thicker at the base |
| Stem colour | White |
| Edibility | Edible but not very tasty, possibly toxic |
| Habitat | Commonly found in indoor potted plants, especially succulents and cacti; native to California, Russia, China, and Japan |
| Removal | Difficult due to spores and mycelium being deeply settled in the plant pot and roots; removing the plant from the house or repotting it with washed roots may be necessary |
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What You'll Learn
Leucocoprinus birnbaumii, also known as the yellow parasol mushroom
Leucocoprinus birnbaumii, commonly known as the yellow parasol mushroom, is a species of gilled mushroom in the family Agaricaceae. It is also called the flower pot parasol, flowerpot parasol, plantpot dapperling, yellow houseplant mushroom, lemon-yellow lepiota, or yellow pleated parasol. The mushroom is common in the tropics and subtropics and is native to the continental US, Canada, and northern Mexico. In temperate regions, it is frequently found in greenhouses and flowerpots.
The yellow parasol mushroom is easily recognizable by its small size and bright lemon yellow oval or bell-shaped cap that fades to a white color with age. The cap is about 1-2 inches in diameter and is covered with powder. The mushroom's surface is lemon yellow to sulphur yellow, smooth, or slightly powdery and covered in ragged, fibrous scales that are darker yellow or brownish and are easily removed. The cap flesh is firm when young but becomes softer and more fragile with age, and its underside is whitish. The stems are narrow near the cap and thicker at the base, with a ring or sometimes a double ring. The mushroom should be 2-3.5 inches high at maturity but might be as tall as 4.5 inches in rare cases.
The yellow parasol mushroom is not harmful to the plant it is growing beside and may even be beneficial. It helps break down organic matter in the soil and convert it into nutrients that are easier for plants to absorb. The mushrooms also absorb ammonium in the ecosystem, which helps solubilize and mobilize essential metals and phosphates. They also communicate threats to plants through their mycelium networks.
While the yellow parasol mushroom is not harmful to plants, it is toxic if ingested by humans or animals. If you have small children or pets, it is recommended to remove the mushrooms from the pots. Overwatering of potted plants can cause them to appear, and they are difficult to manage once established.
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Golden oysters, native to Russia, China and Japan
Golden oyster mushrooms, also known by their scientific name Pleurotus citrinopileatus, are native to Japan, eastern Russia, and northern China. They have been growing wild in the subtropical hardwood forests of these regions since ancient times. With their sunny yellow caps, golden oyster mushrooms are a popular culinary ingredient in their native regions and are celebrated in Japan for their umami flavour. They are often nicknamed "Phantom mushrooms" in Japan due to their elusive nature, as they were once challenging to find, harvest, and store.
Golden oyster mushrooms thrive exclusively on the fallen wood, stumps, and trunks of hardwood trees such as beech, oak, elm, maple, and ash in warm, temperate climates. They grow in small to medium-sized clumps, sometimes referred to as bouquets, and are comprised of many layers of tightly packed mushrooms. Their circular yellow caps can reach up to three inches across, developing a characteristic funnel divot as they mature. The curved or bent white stems have gills that run down them, a feature called "decurrent."
In the wild, golden oyster mushrooms typically decay hardwoods, particularly elm trees. They were introduced to North America in the 20th century for home cultivation and have since naturalized in parts of the Midwest and Northeast. Their rapid spread in these regions has raised concerns about their status as an invasive species, as they may be outcompeting and displacing native decomposers. Golden oyster mushrooms have also been cultivated commercially, usually on media such as grain, straw, or sawdust.
Golden oyster mushrooms are a valuable source of antioxidants, and extracts have been studied for their potential medicinal properties, including antihyperglycemic effects and the potential to lower lipid levels. They are one of the most commonly cultivated mushrooms in China due to their ease of cultivation and ability to convert organic refuse into fresh mushrooms efficiently.
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Golden ears, true parasites found in broadleaf trees
Golden ears (Tremella aurantia) are a species of fungus that produces yellow, gelatinous, frondose basidiocarps (fruit bodies). They are commonly found in North America, Europe, and northern Asia, and are particularly prevalent in coastal climates, earning them the nickname "the jelly fungi of the Pacific Northwest". Golden ears have also been recorded in South America.
Unlike most other mushroom species, golden ears are considered true parasites. They do not feed on dead organic matter but instead grow by consuming other types of fungi that are already infesting the wood of broadleaf trees. Specifically, golden ears are parasitic on Stereum hirsutum, a type of fungus that grows on dead, attached, or recently fallen branches of broadleaf trees such as oak and beech. The fruit bodies of golden ears can grow to up to six inches across and are often found on stumps and fallen branches.
The appearance of golden ear mushrooms is bright yellow, and they can take on a gelatinous and shiny appearance when wet and fully moisturized. The folds of the fruiting body grow in convoluted clusters that vaguely resemble ears. Golden ears are edible when cooked but are reported to have little flavour.
Golden ears are similar in appearance to witch's butter (Tremella mesenterica), another parasitic fungus. However, golden ears parasitise the mycelium of Stereum hirsutum, whereas witch's butter infects Peniophora on hardwoods.
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Yellow pholiotas, also called the flaming scalycap
Pholiota squarrosa, also known as the shaggy scalycap, is a similar species of mushroom that can be distinguished by its white spore prints. It has a yellowish-brown to tawny cap with yellowish to tawny scales and a brown spore. It is commonly found growing in clusters at the base of trees and stumps, particularly in ancient timber wharves in the Netherlands.
Pholiota flammans, or the flaming scalycap, is another similar-looking mushroom that grows on rotting conifer stumps and fallen deadwoods of conifers. It can be found individually or in small groups, whereas the shaggy scalycap typically grows in clusters.
The flaming scalycap should not be confused with the honey fungus, which is another look-alike species. The honey fungus has less pronounced scales that do not cover the stem, and its spore print is white, unlike the brown spores of the flaming scalycap.
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Leucocoprinus straminellus, a pale-yellow mushroom
Leucocoprinus straminellus is a species of mushroom-producing fungus in the family Agaricaceae. It is native to tropical climates but can now be found in plant pots, greenhouses, and compost piles in many countries. Leucocoprinus straminellus is similar to the more common Leucocoprinus birnbaumii, but it is smaller and paler, with whitish to pale yellow flesh. The cap of Leucocoprinus straminellus is typically ovular or bell-shaped and can grow to be between 1.5 and 3.5 inches in diameter. The cap starts out as bell-shaped or conical and then expands to an umbrella shape before becoming nearly flat in maturity. The surface of the cap is whitish yellow with a darker yellow centre and striated margins. The stem of Leucocoprinus straminellus is between 2.4 and 5 cm tall, tapering upwards from a swollen base. The stem ring is located towards the top of the stem but quickly disappears. The gills are free with a collar, distant, and white-cream in colour. The spores are ellipsoid to spherical and smooth, with a white spore print. Leucocoprinus straminellus is considered a saprophytic type of mushroom, meaning it obtains its nourishment from decaying matter in the soil, such as compost, expired roots, leaves, or dead insects. It then converts this matter into food that can be absorbed by plants. Leucocoprinus straminellus is often found in indoor plants, especially succulents and cacti, and may indicate that the plant is being overwatered or has insufficient drainage. While not harmful to the plant, it may be advisable to remove the mushrooms to protect the ecosystem, especially in delicate environments like Hawaii.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several types of yellowish mushrooms, including:
- Leucocoprinus birnbaumii, also known as the yellow parasol mushroom, the painted dapperling, the flowerpot parasol, the yellow houseplant mushroom, the lemon-yellow lepiota, or the yellow pleated parasol.
- Leucocoprinus straminellus, which is a paler shade of yellow.
- Leucocoprinus flavescens, which has a brownish centre.
- Yellow pholiotas, also called the flaming scalycap.
- Golden oysters.
- Golden ears.
Leucocoprinus birnbaumii is a small, bright yellow mushroom that is commonly found in houseplants and gardens. It is typically 1-3 inches tall with ovular or bell-shaped caps that can grow up to 2 inches in diameter. The caps start out bulbous and then expand to a flat parasol shape. The stalks are narrow near the cap and thicker at the base, with a ring around them.
Yellowish mushrooms, such as Leucocoprinus birnbaumii, are generally not harmful to plants and may even provide benefits by improving soil texture and density and converting organic matter into nutrients. However, they may be toxic to humans and pets if ingested.
To get rid of yellowish mushrooms, you can remove them at the base of the stalk. However, it is difficult to remove them entirely without repotting the plant and washing all the soil off the roots. Reducing humidity and lowering heat can also help prevent mushrooms from sprouting.
