Are these funky things mushrooms?

[Lisa0825]

These have been popping up in my garden boxes overnight. If they are near a board, they splat against it and flatten out like this. If not, the stem goes up, then droops over, with the "cap" hanging in a lump. I have looked all over the net trying to find a mushroom like thhis, but have found nothing similar, but I think that is what it is. It's not as if they are overrunning the garden, but I am just curious. I am also wondering if they are good or bad for the garden. Should I pluck them out or let them be? I do not think I have been over watering, which I thought was what caused mushrooms to sprout. I wait until the soil is dry down to a few inches before watering.

[Zoigal]

1. Gee, haven't seen these little guys...

Husband (biologist) said he didn't recognize them either. Are you using something different
for mulch or organic fertilizer? Interesting little things. Good luck tracking them down. z

[Lisa0825]

3. The soil is the mix from Square Foot Gardening...

vermiculite, peat, and compost. The compost is from Lowes, since I just started a compost bin recently. The organic fertilizer is a commercially produced pellet... I don't remember the ingredients, and I dont have the container here with me, but I will check it tomorrow.

My first career was in medical research, so I have a very strong natural curiosity. I can spend entire days hunting down something like this, just for fun! LOL!

Don't they kind of look like false eyelashes? LOL

[amerikat]

5. They do look like false eyelashes.

Maybe you have discovered a new species. If you do discover a new species you get to name it.

I'm doing square foot gardening for the first time this year. I ordered vermiculite but got pearlite instead, oh well. I mixed it up anyway. I took pics with my brothers camera as mine was in for repair. I hope to post the pics soon.

[Lisa0825]

6. cool! LOL! Maybe I'll call it

something totally political in honor of DU :)

[amerikat]

2. I looked in my Audubon field guide to mushrooms and

didn't find anything like the picture. If they sprout up over nite you can bet it's a fungus of some kind. Maybe consult your local extension service.

[Lisa0825]

4. Yeah, i will probably do that if no one recognizes them.

I just took the pic tonight so I could ost it since I looked for hours without finding anything similar. I'll look for someone to email at the extension service tomorrow. That is why I thought they were mushrooms - because they pop up overnight. Plus, the "eyelashes" kind of resemble the gills of a mushroom cap.

[amerikat]

7. I found this video about fungus on DU.....can't remember who posted it

but everyone should see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI5frPV58tY

I knew fungus was a major factor in life on earth but this guy puts in perspective regarding the environment, medicine and everything else. well worth bookmarking.

[Lisa0825]

8. cool, thanks! :-)

I LOVE TED!!!

[Lisa0825]

9. I got a reply from the extension office -

"This mushroom commonly occurs in soils with high organic matter content, especially soil amended with manure (especially horse manure).

I regret that I cannot provide a scientific name for this mushroom, but it is common.

I suggest allowing it to finish its cycle (although it would be OK to rake over mushroom caps as they appear). The mushrooms are aiding in the breakdown of organic matter which results in the release of nutrients readily available for plant use.

After an area has a heavy growth of mushrooms, the soil may not repel water for a while (i.e., not easily wetted). However with time, the area will absorb water easily. Turning or working such soil will overcome this situation quickly."

[amerikat]

11. Thanks for the info.

I'm using a cow manure compost. mybe i'll get some funky mushrooms too.

[Lisa0825]

12. They've kinda grown on me....

(pun intended). I like having a mushroom I'd never seen before in my garden. They're kind of hip looking, like 1960s eyelashes. My garden is hiiiiiiigh stylin'!

[amerikat]

14. Mascara mushrooms

that's all I have to add right now

[independentpiney]

10. I've seen those on old straw bales

and areas that were mulched with old damp straw. I was able to id it using a good mycology book. That was ages ago and I can't remember the name, though I think the genus ended in either a -ina or illus. If it pops into my head as things sometimes do. I'll post it.

[Lisa0825]

13. If you think of it, I would like to know the name.

At least it's good to know that they are healthy for the garden. I know that sometimes some kinds of mushrooms growing in a lawn can be detrimental, so identifying it as one that is good for the garden was the answer I wanted.