Unknown Fungus or stuff growing on our plants ... Can anyone identify what this stuff is ? Is it a fungus or a plant ? Looks like it has an attachment (or stem) to the dirt in the pot ? Is that how it retrieves water ?
Our local cooperative extension mentioned that the abundance of mushrooms in our area, due to all the rain we've had over the summer, is actually a good thing. It shows that our environment is thriving.
I have many different types growing in my lawn and mulched areas. They are even poking up in some areas that have thick ground cover.
I would send those pics to your local cooperative extension or take them to a decent, independent garden center and see what they say. (Not HD or Lowes, etc.)
I'm sure the U of Illinois has an extension service. All the land grant universities do afaik, certainly the big ones. I think they were originally set up for farmers but they take calls from small homeowners too. They usually have a phone number and are good at answering the phone, but in this case, I guess they have to see the picture.
Someone posted back on Next-Door app and provided the answer:
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Sarah Meisch-Sommer It is called a flowerpot parasol. It is a fungus.
From "kingfishermushrooms"
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The flowerpot parasol or Leucocoprinus birnbaumii is a very common weed fungi, often found growing from commercial potting mix but also in gardens and more inexplicable places around human habitation. I decided to write this post because the flowerpot parasol or FPP is reported to be mildly poisonous causing significant stomach problems...
Thanks for getting back to us, and with a picture too.
Mildly poisonous! That's bad but -- I haven't read the link yet -- did the page say if it snatched your body while you are sleeping? It looks like it would.
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