Most Common Lawn Mushrooms in Georgia

The most common lawn mushrooms in Georgia include puffballs, stinkhorns, and fairy rings. Let’s take a look at their characteristics, impact, and potential risks for you and your Peach State lawn.

Green-spored parasol

Green-spored parasols are recognizable by their broad white caps and green gills. Their caps are scaly and tend to darken as they mature. Their green gills and spore print are somewhat rare among mushrooms, which makes them easier to identify. Green-spored parasols are often found in forests and lawns, where they can accumulate in large quantities or form fairy rings. 

Green-spored parasols are frequently confused with edible mushrooms; however, green-spored parasols are very toxic. If you, your child, or your pet ingest one, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Vulnerable turfgrasses: All grasses

Season: Present in spring, summer, or fall, typically from April to November

Location: This mushroom is widespread throughout the southeastern United States. Can be found throughout the state, especially in wet grassy areas such as lawns or fields.

Impact: Like many mushrooms, green-spored parasols are not harmful to your lawn and may help by breaking down organic materials and releasing nutrients into the soil. However, this is a dangerous mushroom to have in your lawn due to the risk of accidental ingestion. 

Poisonous: Yes, this mushroom is the most common cause of mushroom poisoning in the United States and produces a toxin that causes severe gastrointestinal distress. Children and pets are at greater risk because of their smaller size and their increased risk of accidental ingestion. Most of the toxin is located in the cap of the mushroom.

Puffballs

Puffballs include various species of mushrooms, with the giant puffball mushrooms being particularly well-known for reaching sizes of up to 2 feet wide. Most puffballs are white, round, and distinctive due to their lack of gills or stems. The puffballs commonly found in lawns are typically only about 1 or 2 inches in size. From a distance, they may look like golf balls.

As they mature, they fill with dark spores that will be released if disturbed or stepped on. Some varieties prefer to grow on rotting or buried wood. Many varieties of puffballs are edible in certain stages of growth. However, it is advisable to consult with an expert before eating any wild mushrooms, as they can be easily misidentified.

Vulnerable turfgrasses: All grasses. Often found in fairy rings.

Season: Puffballs typically mature in late summer or fall.

Location: Puffballs are commonly found throughout the state in wooded areas, along roadsides, or in grassy areas.

Impact: Puffballs typically have no negative effects on lawns but can be removed for aesthetic purposes.

Poisonous: No, but they can be removed to prevent children or pets from ingesting them or inhaling spores. Inhaling spores can cause lung inflammation, wheezing, and coughing. 

Stinkhorns

Stinkhorns come in a variety of shapes and colors but are usually white, orange-pink, or red. Most commonly recognized for their distinctive appearance, they can be cylindrical, have multiple appendages like a star or octopus, or a lace-like veil below their cap. Stinkhorns have a strong scent that may be off-putting to humans but attract insects that spread their spores.

Immature stinkhorns appear white or pink and are egg-shaped. Stinkhorns grow rapidly, often growing multiple inches in a short period. While they’re not particularly easy on the eyes or the nose, they are very common in gardens.

Vulnerable turfgrasses: No specific turfgrass. Prefer mulched areas and the base of dead trees.

Season: Stinkhorns appear in cool, wet weather, typically late summer and fall.

Location: Stinkhorns love to grow in warm, damp mulch in lawns or gardens. Commonly found throughout the eastern United States, the stinkhorn fungi are often introduced to yards in mulches or soils.

Impact: They have no negative effects on lawns and can even be beneficial to gardens by improving soil quality. However, their foul odor attracts insects and is so strong it is often compared to rotting meat.

Poisonous: Stinkhorns are not poisonous to humans but can cause stomach upset in dogs. Their foul odor can appeal to dogs, so it’s important to remove them if you have pets.

Fairy rings

Fairy rings are naturally occurring circles of mushrooms or abnormal turf growth, up to 15 feet in diameter, that are caused by a fungus in the soil. Partial rings can also occur, and the exact appearance of the fairy ring depends on conditions, soil type, and fungus species. 

More than 40 different species of fungi can cause fairy rings. Underground, the growth of a fairy ring begins in the center and grows outward in a uniform circle. Fairy rings get their name from European folklore that claimed fairy rings appeared in places where fairies gathered and danced. However, depending on the story, they could bring good or bad luck.

The three types of fairy rings are:

• Type 1:  The most damaging type but not as common in lawns. Fungi reduce the amount of water the soil can absorb and the grass is damaged or killed. This type is less common on lawns and is seen more often on golf courses.

• Type 2: This type stimulates grass growth by releasing an abundance of nitrogen as the fungi break down organic matter. The result is a dense ring of green grass. While not particularly damaging, this may mean an uneven lawn.

• Type 3: The least disruptive or damaging type of fairy ring, type 3 is the variety most people are probably familiar with. It appears as a ring of mushrooms, typically after a period of wet weather.

Vulnerable turfgrasses: While all grasses are susceptible, it can be more damaging to centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass, which are among the best grasses for Georgia lawns.

Location: Fairy rings are mostly found in open grassy areas and forests, though their exact location depends on the type of fungus and specific fairy ring type. In Georgia, they are more often found in the southern and coastal regions of the state.

Season: Type 1 and 2 fairy rings are more common in the summer while type 3 fairy rings typically appear in the fall.

Impact: How much a fairy ring damages your lawn depends on the type. Type 1 rings are the most damaging, causing grass to turn brown and die. Type 2 increases growth, but only in the area of the ring. And Type 3 is notable for its mushroom growth, which won’t cause damage but may be unsightly.

Poisonous: Sometimes. It’s important to note that since so many types of mushrooms can cause fairy rings, some may be poisonous, non-poisonous, or even edible. Always consult an expert before consuming wild mushrooms.

Slime molds

While not technically fungi, slime molds share a similar life cycle and are often mistaken for fungi and mushrooms. There are more than 900 species of slime mold, and despite their name and appearance, they are not lawn diseases and do not cause lawn diseases. Like mushrooms, slime molds often emerge after wet weather and are usually a sign of healthy soil. 

Slime molds are single-celled organisms that become visible when they form colonies above ground. In Georgia, they come in various colors including blue-gray, black, yellow, and orange, differing in size and shape. Some slime molds develop fruiting bodies that look like mushroom caps. 

Slime molds have a short lifespan. They eventually dry out and disintegrate, releasing spores carried by the wind to other locations.

Vulnerable turfgrasses: All turfgrasses

Season: Georgia has a humid climate that encourages the growth of slime molds, especially in the extended periods of rain typical in late spring and early summer.

Location: Slime molds can be found in lawns and gardens, growing out of the soil after extended periods of rain. They may creep onto mulch, grasses, logs, or low-growing plants.

Impact: Slime mold is typically harmless to lawns and can benefit grass by breaking down organic matter. However, large growths of slime mold could turn your lawn yellow. Also, while its presence is short-lived, you may wish to discard it if you find it too unsightly.

Poisonous: No, despite the nickname “dog vomit,” slime mold isn’t poisonous to pets or humans.

Mushrooms in Georgia’s climate

Georgia has a humid subtropical climate with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. The state also experiences moderate to heavy rainfall. The humid climate and frequent rainfall provide an excellent environment for mushroom growth. 

However, this doesn’t mean you’ll find lawn mushrooms primarily in summer, the most humid time of year. Mushrooms in Georgia are more likely to flourish outside the peak of summer heat, as most prefer moderate temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

More lawn care and landscaping resources for Georgia

Lawn care and landscaping:

• When to Aerate Your Lawn in Georgia  
• How and When to Plant Grass Seed in Georgia  
• Georgia Landscaping Ideas 
• Month-to-Month Lawn Care Calendar for Georgia
• What Zone is Georgia for Planting?

Weeds and diseases:

• How to Treat Lawn Fungus
• Common Lawn Weeds in Georgia
• When to Apply Pre- and Post-Emergent Weed Control in Georgia

FAQ about mushrooms in Georgia

How do I prevent mushrooms in my lawn?

Here are a few simple ways to prevent mushrooms in your lawn:

• Manage moisture: The simplest way to do this is to water your lawn in the morning to ensure any excess water can dry by evening.
• Minimize shade: Trim bushes and trees to minimize shady spots on your lawn. For areas where shade is inevitable, like under tree canopies, consider a dense planting of shade-loving plants in place of turfgrass. Any mushrooms that show up will likely be harder to notice among plants like hostas or leafy ground covers.
• Clear away debris: Manage leaves, grass clippings, and thatch to decrease the organic matter that fungi can feed on.

To learn more about what causes mushrooms to appear in your lawn, check out our guide: “What Causes Mushrooms in My Yard?”

How do I get rid of mushrooms in my lawn?

Simply use a shovel to dig up mushrooms or mow over them. You can also remove slime molds by spraying them with a hose.

For a more detailed look at the best ways to get rid of mushrooms, check out our guide: “How to Get Rid of Mushrooms in Your Yard.”

If the mushrooms in my lawn aren’t poisonous, can I eat them?

No. Even if the mushrooms in your lawn aren’t poisonous, it’s not a good idea to eat them without consulting an expert. There are thousands of species of mushrooms, many of which are inedible, and mushrooms are easy to misidentify. While most lawn mushrooms are harmless, the consequences of misidentifying a poisonous mushroom can be severe.

Hire a professional

It’s important to be aware of the different types of mushrooms that can grow in your Georgia lawn and take necessary precautions. You can also hire a local lawn care professional to keep your lawn well-maintained, which reduces the risk of mushroom growth and lawn disease. 

With Lawn Love you’ll see how getting to put your feet up and relax in your lawn, rather than maintaining it, is as sweet as a peach.

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