Identificación

Diane J. Episcopio, Elizabeth F. Pienaar, and Martin B. Main

Elena Karlsen-Ayala, Romina Gazis, and Matthew E. Smith

Mushrooms growing in potting soil are a common problem reported in nursery production and in potted plants in the indoor and outdoor home landscape. Many of these fungi are saprotrophic and feed on the organic matter contained in the potting soil itself and/or in the mulch, which varies in composition but often contains tree bark, wood chips, pine straw, moss, or leaves. These fungi are not necessarily harmful to the plants, but fungal fruiting bodies can make plants unmarketable. Unknown fungi can also be concerning to retailers and homeowners because of potential toxicity to pets and children. The purpose of this publication is to provide homeowners and retail nursery growers with an overview of some of the most common mushroom-forming fungi found in potted plants and potting soils in Florida. We also provide cultural control recommendations to help prevent or reduce mushroom growth.

Steve A. Johnson, Mark Hostetler, yMartin B. Main

This publication describes how to differentiate between two species of large woodpeckers, the Pileated Woodpecker and the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. It includes information about both species and advice about how to report observations of large woodpeckers and where to go to read further.