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. Its possible that the alkaloids in the fungi that cause the bright yellow colour also causes the stomach problems but more research would be needed. The alkaloids are called Birnbaumins and are more or less unique to this species of fungi. If the FPP is not eaten they are pretty harmless to the plant and to people. They are really quite pretty and a bit of a novelty. The FPP is very tenacious and difficult to get rid of so unless you are concerned about pets or children they are probably best left to their own devices.

I found these FPP growing in a batch of potting mix that I had put aside in a tote because it was such poor quality, it seemed to consist of barely decomposed saw dust which looked moldy but that mold I guess was actually the FPP mycelium. Its been hot and dry the last few weeks but none the less i looked down and was greeted by the rather pretty mushrooms in the top photo. The tote was absolutely chocked-full with more primordium but they have since dried out and aborted. The FPP likes this hot summer weather despite their very thin and fragile fruit bodies. The FPP is one of couple different species of similar yellow fungi and there are many other small white or cream fungi that look very similar and all of them are best avoided or at least not eaten. For more info on the FPP check out mushroom expert.