Unidentified fungus growing through tarmac

[pamelams]

Does anyone know what this is? Is it safe for children or animals? It is growing on a public footpath out side my house

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi there,

They have the look if Inkcaps - Coprinus sp.

Some Coprinus species are considered poisonous if eaten -certainly not by just handling or touching. - (Usual hygene rules should be applied before eating though, whenever fungi have been handled).

But is it realistically likely that these would be eaten? - Animals will tend to leave them alone, and how many children - of an age such that they'd be out on the streets unsupervised, would be likely to eat something found growing out of the tarmac?

I'd be more worried about the damage they are causing to the footpath.

They are very short lived, and will probably have all but disappeared within a couple of days, but if you are still concerned then you could pick them and dispose of them.

Regards,
Mike.

[Chris Yeates]

almost certainly common ink-cap Coprinopsis atramentaria

children and animals will be fine unless they actually eat them (highly unlikely) and then drink alcohol (which surely goes off the likeliness dial!)

they'll soon disappear . . . . there are far more dangerous things on footpaths with regard to children's health (and some of those are left by animals) . . . just leave them

Chris

[pamelams]

Thank you for your comments!