Fauna
Fungus

Green-spored Parasol

Chlorophyllum molybdites

Also known as Green-Gill Parasol, False Parasol, Green-Spored Lepiota, Vomiter

Green-spored parasols form prominent fairy rings across suburban lawns and grassy fields following warm seasonal rains. Young fruiting bodies emerge as white buttons before expanding into broad caps patterned with coarse brown scales. Maturing gills turn a pale olive-green as millions of spores develop, driving its role as an energetic decomposer of grass thatch.

ToxicFairy RingsLawn Fungus
Green-spored Parasol reference1 / 7
(c) Amber M. King, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Amber M. King · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyDecaying grass roots, Lawn thatch, Soil organic matter
Predators
  • Slugs
  • Fungus gnats
  • Rove beetles
ThreatsLawn mower destruction and chemical fungicide application
HabitatsLawns, pastures, parks, and suburban yards
Life spanFruiting body lasts 3–7 days; mycelium persists indefinitely
Classification
  1. OrderAgaricales
  2. FamilyAgaricaceae
  3. GenusChlorophyllum
  4. SpeciesChlorophyllum molybdites
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Causes severe gastrointestinal illness if eaten; wild mushrooms have toxic look-alikes, so never ingest.
Why it is dangerous
Contains gastrointestinal toxins that cause violent vomiting, severe cramps, and dehydration when consumed.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for broad white caps with brownish scales and gills that mature from white to olive-green.
What to do
Never ingest wild mushrooms; wash hands thoroughly if handling fruiting bodies to examine spores print testing for green spore prints.
Responsible observation
  • Spore printing: Place cap gill-side down on white paper overnight to verify the olive-green spore print.
  • Pet safety: Remove fruiting bodies from yards where pets or children play to prevent accidental consumption.
  • Lawn care: Leave underground mycelial networks intact, as they enrich lawn soil naturally.
Related species
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