Fauna
Fungus · GBIF taxon 7989053

Dung-loving Deconica

Deconica coprophila

Also 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
Dung-loving Deconica reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Rockefeller · cc-by
—observations
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—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
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
Classification
  1. FamilyStrophariaceae
  2. SpeciesDeconica coprophila
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
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