Dangerous Mushrooms Popping Up in Illinois Lawns; Are Your Pets Safe?

Thanks to all the rainfall Northern Illinois has seen over the last week, mushrooms are popping up all over yards and forests, and some of them can be lethal. Especially for your pets.

Weird Yard Mushrooms

As I was heading out to mow our backyard yesterday, I noticed something big and white in the grass. I assumed it was a piece of trash, but it was actually a huge mushroom.

It looked a lot like this one:

Seeing little mushrooms popping in flower beds and grass is a regular occurrence after periods of heavy rainfall, but seeing one this large had me a little worried. I have two large dogs that like to eat strange things in the yard, could this pose a risk? I think the answer is yes.

Mushroom Warning for Midwest Pet Owners

As I was searching for information on toxic mushrooms found in Illinois I stumbled upon this post from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine & Veterinary Hospital:

Yes, that warning may be geared toward Indiana residents, but the truth is, Death Cap Mushrooms are found in Illinois too.

How to Spot a Death Cap Mushroom

Death Cap Mushrooms are most commonly found by oak trees in parks, yards, and gardens and are often mistaken for other less dangerous types of mushrooms.

Here are some distinguishing features of Death Cap Mushrooms according to the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria website:

• A white, yellow, pale brown or green cap (top)
• White gills underneath the cap
• Has a white spore print
• A "cup" at the bottom of the mushroom's stipe (stem)
• Presence of a ring on the stipe (stem)

Toxic Mushrooms in Illinois

After reading more about Death Cap Mushrooms, I feel confident saying that the mushroom I found in our yard is not Death Cap, but that doesn't mean it's not a problem.

In fact, Illinois is home to 12 different types of poisonous mushrooms, and many of them are found on and around trees, especially if the trees are decaying. So, the next time you spot a mushroom in your yard or the woods, please don't eat it unless you are 100 percent sure it is safe.

P.S. I'm pretty sure the mushroom I found in my yard was a False Parasol Mushroom. Yes, they are toxic. Yes, I destroyed it.