Is it dangerous? The short answer is PROBABLY NOT. Many times, the mushrooms you see are fruiting bodies of fungi that are present in the soil or on the wood. The role of these fungi is to help breakdown the wood material. They are an integral part of the ecosystem cycle.

Is it poisonous? This is a tougher question, because it depends on the fungus. A good field identification guide will help with figuring out what the fungus is. The usual practice is to NOT eat a wild fungus unless you are 100% sure of its identity. The spores produced by these mushrooms can be an allergen to a small percentage of folks. What about pets? Please consult a veterinarian if the situation occurs: if possible, take a photo of the mushroom. A physical sample is helpful but remember that the mushroom may breakdown rapidly.

Will it kill my plants? Unlikely! In some cases, these mushrooms may be beneficial to the plants. By breaking down the woody “waste” material, they are returning nutrients to the soil which then can be used by plants. Then again, something like SLIME MOLD can smother and overwhelm small plants.

How do I get rid of it? Most mushrooms are delicate and will break down relatively quickly. Many mushrooms associated with the mulch may be present only a few days. The breakdown can be hastened with disturbance (ie. chopped up, broken, crushed). You can use a jet of water to break up the mushroom (works well on delicate mushrooms and slime molds) or use an instrument such as a rake to break it up. But for these types of mushrooms, there are no approved fungicides.

You can learn more about this subject on line at Texas A&M : https://plantclinic.tamu.edu/2011/04/25/fungi-in-the-garden-beds/