The Yellow parasol is a gilled mushroom in a family of fungi and common to the tropics. It is easily recognized by its small size and bright lemon yellow oval or bell-shaped cap that fades to a white color with age. The Yellow parasol can reach a mature height of 1 to 3 inches and, while typically found growing outdoors in clusters in its native, tropical environment, they commonly occur in potted plants, greenhouses, and compost piles where conditions are more temerate. The Yelow parasol works to break down organic matter found in soils and they do not harm living plants. However, they are toxic and you should remove these mushrooms as soon as they appear if pets or small children have access to the area. Keep in mind that this species can spread by means of potting soil and transplanted plants. Overwatering of potted plants can cause them to appear and they are difficult to manage once established. Fungicide applications are generally ineffective against mushrooms. Quick ID: CAP: Small, 1 to 2 inches in diameter, bell-shaped, fragile, margin striate, bright yellow, and covered with powder. GILLS: Free from stalk, yellowish white. STALK: Slender, slightly enlarged at the base, covered with bright yellow powder. ANNULUS (ring): Bright yellow, covered with yellow powder, moveable up and down the stalk, often breaking loose. SPORE PRINT: White, spores ellipsoidal, smooth.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 3 in. | Width: 0 ft. 1 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Fine
Hairs present
No
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Tropics
Distribution
Typically found in greenhouses, and potted plants in houses and shopping malls.
Food & Medicine
Edibility
Toxic when eaten. Causes severe stomach problems.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Lawn; Naturalized Area; Woodland
Garden tags
#poisonous #poisonous mushrooms #mushrooms #lawn #naturalized area #woodland #tropical
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs
Poison severity
Medium
Poison parts
Fruits; Stems
Poison symptoms
This species is related to species known to be toxic so should not be eaten. Symptoms may include mild to severe diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and other gastrointestinal upsets. Their exact level of toxicity is unknown.