How to ID toxic green-spored parasol mushrooms, golden reishi, Agaricus auricolor, Xylaria magnoliae

Learn how to recognize Chlorophyllum molybdites, commonly called the green-spored parasol mushroom. This is one of the most common toxic (but not deadly!) mushrooms around, but fortunately it's fairly easy to recognize with its scaly cap, greenish gills, and robust felty ring on the stem. I discuss key ID features and habits of Chlorophyllum molybdites, including tips for distinguishing it from edible and delicious parasol mushrooms in the Macrolepiota genus.
Next, I explain how to identify the golden reishi, Ganoderma curtisii. This wood decomposing mushroom is corky and smooth-surfaced and is typically in shades of mahogany and golden yellow. These distinctive mushrooms are a common sight clustering on oak stumps and roots, and their long and fruitful season can last well into the cooler months.
Moving on, I show off a few specimens of Agaricus auricolor group, an edible mushroom that has a pale yellow cap, fragile ring on the stem, and gills that turn pink and then dark brown as the mushrooms mature. These mushrooms also have a pleasant almond aroma, which is a hallmark of numerous edible and tasty Agaricus mushrooms. I also show a specimen of Agaricus diminutivus, (which I accidentally call "diminutiva"), a small mushroom with dark brown streaks or scales on the cap, and discuss the merits and demerits of various Agaricus aromas.
Last but certainly not least, I share one of my favorite mushrooms, Xylaria magnoliae. This branchy, mossy-green fruiting body throws smoky gray-white spores everywhere and only grows on magnolia cones. Though they may appear small and drab, Xylaria magnoliae is wildly chaotic and very cool to look at up close.

[@KennyP88]

...and a high five to you. Thanks.

[@yihandeng5320]

Really helpful video!

[@tinsoffish1810]

Such passion...nerds are underestimated..

[@annamchugh5381]

I’m a friggen mess unless I literally have mushrooms in my hands

[@wsmith4020]

Great thorough explanation 👍

[@annamchugh5381]

Why thanks. I sure do enjoy looking at stuff. I wish I had better film gear sometimes when I’m trying to point out the small features

[@davidwackell1927]

Anna, put a call out for the equipment you would like. I am sure viewers will chip in.

[@davetir]

When you were holding the Ganodermas, it looked like you were holding a miniature Big Bird upside down in your hand. With that discoloration, they're a dead ringer for the legs.

[@SG-ce7ji]

Thank you❤️🙏

[@stevenlandseadel2494]

It's pretty interesting that I'm over 600 MI South yet I had a lot of the same species showing up the same week

[@greendeane1]

Professor James Kimbrough (author of Common Mushrooms of Florida) wrote that the green-spored parasol is the most common source of mushroom poisoning in North America.

[@happosaai]

MAGNOLIA GRENADES!!!!! :-DD

[@chrisblevins755]

I always thought the scales looked like the mushroom was dusted with oatmeal lol

[@nbenvenutti]

The gills don’t touch the stalk on a parasol. Is that the same for the green spore look alike?

[@annamchugh5381]

Yes, the green spored parasol gills are also free of the stem

[@engizmo]

🙏❤️🍄

[@wsmith4020]

Always do a spore print.

[@annamchugh5381]

Not always, that’s impractical. It’s very useful when identifying some things, but not a needed step with familiar species. Some mushrooms are polite enough to leave spores below where they fruit too! But honestly, I very rarely need a print to know the spore color

[@wsmith4020]

@@annamchugh5381 I meant when distinguishing between true parasol mushrooms and the vomiter.

[@jamesalanstephensmith7930]

Scurfy-definition

[@tinsoffish1810]

I actually had a bus driver stop so I could get out and I'd some in a yard😂...she was cool

[@tinsoffish1810]

First😁