Fungus · GBIF taxon 7989053
dung-loving Deconica
Deconica coprophilaAlso known as Meadow Muffin Mushroom, Dung-loving Psilocybe, Dung Demon
Dung-loving Deconica emerges directly from cow and horse manure, acting as an essential saprotroph that breaks down herbivore waste into nutrient-rich soil. Its small, convex cap features a sticky gelatinous surface film that peels off easily, darkening to a rich reddish-brown when wet. Frequently spotted in livestock pastures after summer rains, this little brown mushroom helps drive nutrient cycling across rural landscapes.
SaprotrophicPasture FungusCoprophilous
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Herbivore dung
- Decomposing plant matter
Predators
- Fungus gnats
- Slugs
- Dung beetles
ThreatsAgricultural chemical runoff and anti-parasitic livestock treatments
HabitatsPastures, grasslands, agricultural fields
Life spanFruiting bodies last 3–7 days; mycelium persists indefinitely
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyStrophariaceae
- SpeciesDeconica coprophila
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Many wild mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
- Field Identification: Observe the peelable sticky skin on the cap and dark purplish-brown spores.
- Sanitation: Wash hands thoroughly after handling any fungi growing directly on animal manure.
- Respect Habitat: Leave pasture gates as you found them when exploring livestock fields.
Co-occurring Fungus (c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · cc-by
Co-occurring Fungus Jason Hollinger / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Co-occurring Fungus (c) pinonbistro, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by pinonbistro · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Mandy Hackney, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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