The combination of wet weather after a dry spell has caused a mushroom explosion in parks and back yards, but Ashburton District Council is advising residents to be careful about picking them.

The red ones with white spots, like some growing on Havelock Street, are not edible. These are the Amanita muscaria variety and classified as poisonous.

There are a number of the Amanita muscaria growing around the district at the moment but are not safe for mushroom fans to eat.

There are thousands of types of mushrooms in New Zealand and the fungi grow quickly in wet weather after a dry spell.

Know your New Zealand poisonous plants and fungi...