Yellow Stainer

The yellow stainer (Agaricus xanthodermus) is a mushroom with a unique ability: it quickly turns yellow and produces a noticeable odor when touched, bruised or scratched. The yellow stainer mushroom is a decomposer, meaning its ecological role is to break down dead organic matter and generate energy for higher levels in the ecosystem. Be careful with this mushroom- it's poisonous and can cause sickness if consumed! If you're more curious about bay area mushrooms, why not check out the Bay Area Mycological Society? They hold local and long distance forays, and meetings are held at UC Berkeley. Go to bayareamushrooms.org for more info.