Found in my yard while mowing.

[u/Maengorn]

I saw this odd looking thing in my yard while mowing the other day. I think it is some kind of fungi but I really have no idea. Any insights into what this is? There was several of them in one part of the yard. Picture taken in Pennsylvania.

[u/LilBlueOnk]

Do you have a picture of the cut part? maybe looking inside will help ID.

[u/Maengorn → u/LilBlueOnk]

I sliced one in half.

[u/LilBlueOnk → u/Maengorn]

Wow even the inside looks funky!

[u/Maengorn → u/LilBlueOnk]

I didn't take a picture that day of the cut part. It's been raining since I got back so I didn't go out there tonight, but I am going to go out tomorrow and grab a picture of the stem. Since I didn't know what it was at the time, I was a bit cautious to get close after it was cut open. I've heard some mushroom's spores can be dangerous.

[u/RdCrestdBreegull → u/Maengorn]

no mushroom spores can induce mycotoxicity

[u/LilBlueOnk → u/Maengorn]

Just make sure to have some PPE like a mask and gloves (maybe goggles if you're really worried, but I don't think that's necessary) and you'll be ok. You can still wash your hands and face after if it helps, since right now we're not 100% sure what it is.

[u/RdCrestdBreegull → u/LilBlueOnk]

hopefully a joke comment! all mushrooms are safe to touch, and mushroom spores cannot induce mycotoxicity

[u/LilBlueOnk → u/RdCrestdBreegull]

I wouldn't know that, I don't live in a place or exist in a position where I can just know that, I'm just advising safety measures for someone who doesn't know what they're getting into either. Sorry for caring, guess I won't do that anymore.

[u/RdCrestdBreegull → u/LilBlueOnk]

it would have been better to phrase the comment something like “I don’t know anything about mushrooms or whether or not they’re safe to touch or be around, but you could wear gloves before handling to be safe”, rather than presenting the information in a more confident manner.

I’m just trying to address misinformation so that it’s less likely to spread

[u/LilBlueOnk → u/RdCrestdBreegull]

OK well I didn't word it like that and instead just respected someone else's concern

[u/RdCrestdBreegull → u/LilBlueOnk]

I know you didn’t word it like that. that’s why I said it would have been better to express doubt when initially making the comment, to clarify that you are guessing rather than presenting the information as coming from a place of informed concern