Top 5 questions about 
toadstools

What’s the difference between a mushroom, a toadstool, and a fungus?

Mushrooms and toadstools are both commonly used words and usually refer to the ‘fruiting body’ of a fungus – the part of the fungus that is often visible and produces spores. But there is no single definition of what is a mushroom and what is a toadstool. Some people regard mushrooms as edible whilst toadstools are not. Others consider mushrooms as white and toadstools as brightly coloured (irrespective of edibility), or even that mushrooms grow in grassy areas and toadstools grow in the woods. Whatever the definition, both mushrooms and toadstools are fungi, along with other groups such as moulds, yeasts, and puffballs

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Will a poisonous mushroom or toadstool harm me if I touch it?

No. Fungi that contain substances poisonous to humans will only harm you if you eat them. However, whenever you’ve touched or handled anything in nature - not just mushrooms or toadstools – it's a good idea to wash your hands. You never know what you may have accidentally been in contact with!

 

How can you tell if a fungus is poisonous?

There are several poisonous mushrooms and toadstools; some may look like edible species to the untrained eye. The best way to know which are poisonous is to seek the advice of an expert, or you can learn yourself! Either way, getting in touch with a local fungus group is a very good start. Find a list of groups here.

 

Are mushrooms or toadstools only found in autumn?

The fruitbodies of fungi can be found throughout the year and come in many different forms, some of which you may not even realise are fungi!  Many are often overlooked due to their small size or because they grow in obscure places. So, whether it’s the middle of winter with snow on the ground, or a hot, sunny dry day in summer, someone who knows what to look for, or where to look, can find fungi.

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I have mushrooms/toadstools in my lawn and they grow even though I mow them off. Where are they coming from?

These are probably growing in the soil and are helping to break down organic matter which helps provide the grass with nutrients. These fungi are there in the soil all year round. What you are seeing are the spore producing parts which can grow up quite quickly and repeatedly. If you cut them off, the fungus will grow more for as long as the conditions are right.