Hello forum experts, Wondering if anyone can help with identifying and diagnosing the white mushrooms that are emerging from the base of our money tree. We repotted it about 3 years ago using store-bought potting mix, and fertilized it last summer with 20-20-20 water-soluble chemical fertilizer, and today is the first time we're seeing these fungi emerge. Not sure if it is evident from the photo, but the mushrooms are emerging directly from the wall of the tree trunk at its base (i.e. not coming up out of the dirt). It sounds like there are a variety of fungi, ranging from harmless ones (some that are even helpful apparently?) to ones that are essentially eating away the heartwood of the tree! Any ideas which kind we're dealing with here, and what we should do about it (if anything) ? Thank you in advance! Two of the larger ones Hard to see but the cluster of white is part of the fungal colony (not vermiculite!) and a small one is emerging from it.
Too young to identify at this stage from a photo: It looks like they are growing caps, so they may expand and be more identifiable at a mature spore-producing stage. 1. If they are growing from the soil, then yes as you found in your reading, they are likely harmless or even beneficial: There are a number fungi that form fruiting bodies in containers which are saprobes, and can make more nutrition available to the plant. or 2. If you are certain that they are growing from the base of the trunk/stem itself, (not just snugged up tight against it) that could be an issue, however in that case it would mean that the body of the fungi would be inside the plant (removing fruiting bodies would be of little consequence). The question in this case would be whether this is the kind of fungi that can grow inside a plant for a very long time without killing it or visible effect for a long period, though that can sometimes mean it become more vulnerable to invasion by other lifeforms including other fungi. Or if it has a pathogenic effect in the short term. Lastly, fungi come with soil, and some are associated with the roots of the specific plant, and originate from the original habitat of that plant. This means that if others who have money tree plants have had mushrooms growing in the pot, it could make a worthwhile comparison, and may narrow down the identification. Please feel welcome to post a photo if/when it gets a bit larger, as in if there is some cap expansion, something to provide some ID clues? Typical container/houseplant fungi are lepiotoid, or coprinoid, belonging to groups composed mostly of saprobic genera. The coprinoids I am familiar with that inhabit wood are not considered rapid decayer / pathogens. Some consume woody parts of plants that are already dead. Hope that is of some help.
Thanks Frog, that's really helpful. We decided to remove the fruiting bodies to see whether it was indeed emerging from the trunk, and good news is that it seems to just be pressed up tight against the tree as you've said. Our tree should be fine after all! Fallen fruiting bodies below:
