| If the fungi coming up are isolated from trees and shrubs I would think it isn't Armillaria. Armillaria is a type of fungi that invaginates the roots of trees and feeds off the live parts of the tree, effectively attacking it and, if left unchecked, will eventually kill the whole tree. To ID it as being Armillaria there are a couple of thingsto look for. 1. Their caps are often dry and sandpapery, but MAY be slightly slimey too. 2. Armillaria will have a 'skirt' or a ring high up on its stem. 3. Most harmless fungi have a brown coloured spore deposits, but Armillaria has white spore deposits, you can check by running your fingers on the 'gills' under the cap. (Wash hands well after it) If you do a google image search for it, you'll be able to see the bits I've described. There's another fungi that looks like Armillaria, but is harmless to living plants. It's cap will be smooth and it will have brownish spore deposits like I mentioned before, it's also almost reddish, like a dark paprika colour. This fungus feeds on dead wood, so it's harmless to your plants. If you can't tell for sure, I'd contact your local horticultural school to try and arrange a positive ID. They should be able to do this for you, or at least point you in the right direction. If it does turn out to be Armillaria, you should contact and arborist to sort out how to get rid of it (I know I would...). Good luck with it, genevieve. Jim |
