Top 20 Most Common Mushrooms in Phoenix

The rosy navel (Contumyces rosellus) is a small, just barely noticeable mushroom that pops up uniquely from sandy soils or silt. The small tan cap is more of a vase shape than a conventional mushroom cap, appearing more like a flower. It is also unique because instead of feasting on already rotting wood, it initiates the rotting process.

The thallus of this lichen is described as foliose, having the aspect of leaves, although the central portions of the thallus may appear nearly crustose. It is small, typically less than 5 cm (2 in) wide, with lobes less than 2 mm (0.08 in) broad, appressed to loosely appressed. The upper surface is some shade of orange while the lower surface is white, corticate, with short, sparse hapters (an attachment structure produced by some lichens). The vegetative propagules called soredia and isidia are absent, although apothecia are common. It has been described as possessing swollen, orange-yellow thalli (in streams), compact orange thalli (on boulders) or dark orange-red thalli on the driest rock faces. The variety X. elegans var. granulifera, characterized by having isidia-like vegetative propagules, has been reported from Greenland and Spitsbergen.

The golden-gilled Gymnopilus is easily identified by its scale, purplish-orange cap, and its preference for wood chips. According to several authorities, the golden-gilled Gymnopilus is a mildly toxic mushroom and should not be ingested.

Candleflame lichen has a preference for nutrient-rich bark, and is often found in hedgerows, although it can be spotted on rocks. Often recognized for its distinct yolk coloring, candleflame lichen has wavy, layered lobes and is a fast colonizer.

In Northern Asia and Europe, fly agaric grows under trees near the winter solstice and is collected for ritual use tied to the season. Its characteristic shape and coloring are still ubiquitous in many European fairy tale illustrations and Christmas traditions. It is highly toxic.

The barometer earthstar (Astraeus hygrometricus) is a fascinating species that closely resembles earthstars of the genus Geastrum, even though it is only distantly related. The petal-like appendages of the fruitbody open, or "bloom", in response to changes in ambient moisture levels. When its fronds are contracted, the mushroom resembles a puffball. The species range is believed to be restricted to Mediterranean Europe.

This appropriately named mushroom, the dead man's fingers (Xylaria polymorpha), has a distinctive cap that resembles blackened fingers that emerge where rotting woods comes in contact with the ground. They can mature to a hand-height tall, and transform from a dark blue hue to black as they stretch skyward. The ugly appearance and high toxicity should repel any potential forager from harvesting.

Found in woodland settings across North America, the reddening lepiota gets its name from one of its unusual qualities. When bruised, cut, or otherwise damaged, the flesh slowly turns red (most other mushrooms species turn blue or black).

The netted crust is a crust fungus that's very common and widespread throughout the world, particularly in the northern hemisphere. It is very tough when dry, but when wet, it becomes waxy. It occurs on the undersides of dead branches and twigs.

White dapperling mushrooms grow in scattered groups across open fields in the northern hemisphere. They can occasionally cause toxic reactions in humans, and their similarity to extremely poisonous lookalikes like Deathcap and Destroying Angel make them hazardous to handle.