It’s a mushroom, and based on the features visible in your photo — a thick, fibrous stem, slightly bulbous base with soil attached, and a smooth, light‑brown cap — it most closely matches the general form of Agaricus or Amanita‑type mushrooms commonly found in Michigan lawns. Because several Michigan species in these groups are dangerously toxic, it’s important to treat them as unidentified rather than assume they’re benign.

I highly recommend sending your image by email to the MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics Lab for confirmation of identification.

Their email is <personal data hidden> - Please include your first and last name.

The experts there can also provide you with the best treatment options.

The lab will let you know if they need a sample sent.

The lab may also ask for additional images. So be prepared.

Their website is at this link:

Plant & Pest Diagnostics (msu.edu)

Their Contact Information is at this link:

Contact Us - Plant & Pest Diagnostics (msu.edu)

This link will explain the details on submitting a sample to the MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics Lab:

Submit Samples - Plant & Pest Diagnostics (msu.edu)

What the morphology suggests

Several traits in your photo help narrow the possibilities:

Thick, cylindrical stem — common in both Agaricus (field mushrooms) and Amanita species.

Bulbous base — a hallmark of many Amanita species, including deadly ones.

Smooth, tan‑brown cap — consistent with multiple Michigan lawn mushrooms.

Growing in turf/yard soil — aligns with common species like Agaricus campestris (field mushroom) and Amanita species that fruit in suburban lawns.

Michigan has thousands of mushroom species, many of which look similar. Agaricus campestris is listed among the most common lawn mushrooms in the state, but deadly look‑alikes such as Amanita virosa (destroying angel) and Galerina marginata also occur here.

Because the base of your specimen looks somewhat swollen and the cap color is uniform, an Amanita is a real possibility — and those should never be handled or consumed.

Why is identification difficult from a single photo

University‑based mycology guides emphasize that accurate ID requires details not visible here, such as:

Gills (color, attachment)

Presence or absence of a ring (annulus)

Volva or sac at the base

Spore print color

Odor

Cap texture when fully visible

Michigan mushroom guides stress that many toxic species closely resemble edible ones, and misidentification can be fatal.

Safety guidance

Do not eat it — even species that look like common field mushrooms can be deadly.

Avoid handling the base excessively — some Amanita toxins can transfer in trace amounts.

Remove and discard if you have pets or children who might ingest it.

If you want a precise ID, take photos of the cap top, gills, stem, and base, and consider contacting a Michigan mycological society or MSU Extension.

I hope this helps!